Explainer – Declaration of Public Health Emergency of Continental Security

1. What is the current situation of the Mpox outbreak in Africa?

• 17,541 Mpox cases, including 517 deaths, have been reported in 12 African countries in 2024:
• 1 in Southern Africa: South Africa
• 3 in East Africa: Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda
• 5 in Central Africa: DRC, Burundi, CAR, Congo Brazzaville, Cameroon
• 3 in West Africa: Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia.
• This represents a 160% increase by end of July, compared to the same period the previous year, 2023.
• The DRC has reported the highest number of cases, accounting for 96% and 97% of deaths.

2. Why declare it a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security?

The declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by Africa CDC is a strategic decision to strengthen the collective and coordinated response to the outbreak across the continent.

This will enable the mobilization of necessary resources, strengthen regional coordination, raise awareness, and ensure a rapid and effective response to control the spread of the disease and protect public health across Africa.