Mpox Outbreak in Africa Escalates With Over 60,000 Cases and 1,164 Deaths in 2024

Efforts to control the virus face challenges from limited vaccine supplies, poor infrastructure, and a growing impact on children.

Mpox, declared a global medical emergency, has spread to 20 African countries, with over 60,000 cases and 1,164 deaths reported this year.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Burundi account for over 95% of recent cases, highlighting the concentration of the outbreak in Central Africa.
Vaccine distribution remains insufficient, with only 280,000 doses delivered to three countries, far short of the 10 million doses needed to curb the outbreak.
Children under 15, who make up 40-50% of cases in some regions, are especially vulnerable, but vaccines for this age group are not yet widely available or approved.
Strained healthcare systems and delayed testing hinder containment, while other critical health services, such as malaria and cholera care, are being impacted.