- DRC is grappling with a severe outbreak of Mpox, reporting over 1,000 new cases in just one week.
- This alarming surge has prompted health authorities in Africa to urgently request vaccines to combat the viral infection.
- Kenya, the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda are set to benefit from a donation of 50,000 doses of mpox vaccine as part of a global effort to check spread.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a severe Mpox outbreak, reporting over 1,000 new cases in just one week. This alarming surge has prompted health authorities in Africa to urgently request vaccines to combat what is increasingly seen as a growing threat on the continent. As the Mpox outbreak escalates, the need for international support has become more critical than ever.
The growing threat of Mpox in Africa
Mpox, a viral disease belonging to the same family as smallpox, is spreading rapidly across Africa. Although it generally causes milder symptoms than smallpox, including fever, chills, and body aches, it can lead to more severe conditions in some cases. Individuals with serious infections may develop lesions on their face, hands, chest, and genitals, and the disease is primarily transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual intercourse.
While Africa CDC reports that Mpox has been detected in 12 of Africa’s 54 countries during the current outbreak, the vast central African nation of DRC has recorded the overwhelming majority of cases this year. Out of a total of 18,910 cases reported in 2024, a staggering 94 per cent—or 17,794 cases—were in DRC. Tragically, the country also accounted for 535 of the 541 deaths reported on the continent.
These figures are likely an underestimate, as limited testing and surveillance capabilities mean that only about one in five suspected cases in DRC are being confirmed through laboratory testing. Dr. Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), notes that there are challenges faced by many African countries, noting that the lack of resources severely hampers their ability to effectively monitor and control the disease.
The urgent need for Mpox vaccines
The rising Mpox case count in Africa, coupled with the identification of a new, potentially more transmissible variant of the virus in DRC, led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a global health emergency earlier this month. This declaration is intended to prompt a more coordinated and robust international response, including the provision of vaccines to affected regions.
Despite the WHO’s efforts, past appeals for donations to combat Mpox in Africa have largely gone unanswered. However, there is now renewed hope that the global community will step up to help curtail the outbreaks before they spread further.
The recent case of the new Mpox variant in Sweden, which was first identified in eastern DRC, underscores the potential for international transmission if the virus is not contained.
Dr. Kaseya announced that Africa CDC had secured a pledge of 215,000 Mpox vaccines from the European Union and vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic. These vaccines are expected to arrive in the coming days. Additionally, the US’ aid agency has donated 50,000 doses of the same vaccine to DRC, with Japan also contributing some doses to the disease-ravaged country.
Kenya is among five African nations set to receive 50,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine as part of a global initiative to curb the disease’s spread. The donation, provided by Emergent BioSolutions through the humanitarian organization Direct Relief, is in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. government.
In addition to Kenya, the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda will also receive vaccine doses. The ACAM2000 vaccine, primarily designed for use in a bioterrorism emergency, is intended for active immunization against smallpox in individuals at high risk of infection.
However, these contributions, while notable, are far from sufficient to meet the continent’s needs. The ministry of Health in DRC has announced that the country alone requires at least 3 million vaccine doses to effectively control the mpox outbreaks. The situation is dire, as the disease has already spread to at least four neighboring African countries, further complicating containment efforts.
Read also: Africa CDC pledges 10 million Mpox vaccine doses by 2025
The global response and call for equity
The current Mpox outbreak is fast drawing comparisons to the 2022 global outbreak, which saw the Mpox virus spread to over 70 countries. In that instance, vaccines and treatments were quickly made available in wealthier nations, leading to the outbreak being contained within months.
However, Africa, where Mpox had been quietly spreading for years, received little support during that time. The disparity in the global response has not gone unnoticed.
Already, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been a vocal critic of the unequal distribution of resources during the 2022 outbreak, terming the global response “unfair,” and pointing out that while Western nations were able to protect their populations with vaccines and treatments, Africa was largely left to fend for itself.
In a statement, President Ramaphosa urged the international community to ensure “equitable access” to Mpox diagnostics and vaccines this time around.
“I urge the international community, partners, and organisations to mobilise stockpiles of vaccines and other medical countermeasures for deployment in Africa, utilising the mechanisms established by Africa CDC to ensure equitable distribution, transparency, and coordination.”
At the same time, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has also taken notice of the escalating situation, recommending last week that travelers to Mpox-affected areas consider getting vaccinated. This recommendation could increase pressure on global health organizations and donor countries to secure more vaccines for Africa.
Mpox outbreak sparks humanitarian appeal
As the Mpox outbreak continues to take a turn for the worse in Africa, Dr. Kaseya has called for “solidarity” from the international community. He said there is importance of the global community to come together in supporting African countries in their fight against the disease, urging against the imposition of travel bans similar to those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Don’t punish Africa,” he said. “We need you to provide appropriate support. This vaccine is expensive.”
Kaseya’s appeal is a reminder that while Mpox may not be as easily transmissible as COVID-19, the consequences of ignoring the outbreak could be devastating, as it can trigger a far-reaching economic fallout. The disease is already causing harm in DRC and other affected countries, and without sufficient vaccines and resources, it could continue to spread, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the continent and beyond.
For many countries in Africa, the time to act is now. The world cannot afford to wait until the situation spirals further out of control. DRC and Africa need vaccines and resources—urgently. The Mpox outbreak is the latest test of humanity’s collective resolve to combat global health threats, and the response will set a precedent for how we handle such crises in the future.
