Spotlight: Mpox Emergency Extended
On August 13, 2024, Africa CDC declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). The next day, WHO declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In response, Africa CDC and WHO co-led a six-month joint continental Mpox Preparedness and Response Plan, coordinated through a unified Incident Management Support Team (IMST), with participation from over 20 countries and global partners.
Despite major gains including streamlined coordination, expanded testing, improved surveillance, community engagement, vaccination rollout, and stronger case management, Mpox remains a public health threat. As of February 2025, 22 countries have been affected: 7 are now in control, while 15 remain in active response, three of which (Burundi, Rwanda, and CAR) show a downward trend. However, rising cases in Uganda and Sierra Leone, and conflict-affected areas in DRC, are cause for concern.
On 25–26 February 2025, both the IHR Emergency Committee and Africa CDC’s Emergency Consultative Group unanimously recommended extending the declarations and launching a new response phase.
The new Mpox Continental Response and Legacy Plan 2.0 (March–August 2025) serves as a roadmap to complete the response and embed it into national health systems—leaving a lasting legacy of strengthened resilience.
📥 Read the full brief in your preferred language:
👉 English PDF – Africa CDC Weekly Brief | 28 April – 4 May 2025
👉 Version française – Bulletin Hebdomadaire d’Africa CDC | 28 Avril – 4 Mai 2025
🔗 For direct inquiries or media engagement: communications@africacdc.org
