Overview

• Over 18,000 cases and 1,200 deaths reported in Africa in 2024, primarily in the DRC.
• The new clade Ib variant spreads more easily and affects adults more than previous strains.
• Mpox spreads through close contact, unlike airborne Covid-19, reducing the need for lockdowns.
• Vaccines and antivirals are available, with efforts to ramp up production and distribution.
• Experts stress the importance of surveillance, vaccination, and targeted measures to control the outbreak.