West Africa Faces Escalating Mpox Outbreak Amid Global Health Crisis

By Uzman Unis Bah

The Mpox virus, commonly known as monkeypox, is surging across West Africa, posing an urgent public health threat to the region. As of mid-August, the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC) reported 44 confirmed cases, including one death, in Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Ghana. This resurgence is just a fragment of the escalating crisis that has gripped much of the African continent.

The latest bulletin issued by regional health authorities highlights that Nigeria has been hardest hit, with 24 confirmed cases, followed by Côte d’Ivoire with 11 cases and one fatality. Liberia and Ghana reported smaller outbreaks, with five and four confirmed cases respectively. Across Africa, a staggering 37,583 cases and 1,451 deaths have been reported in 15 African Union member states this year. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) bears the brunt of the crisis, accounting for over 96% of the continent’s Mpox cases.

The DRC has reported nearly 13,800 cases, including 2,628 confirmed cases, with fatalities climbing to 450. Health experts have noted a dramatic rise in both infections and deaths across the country, fueled by inadequate healthcare infrastructure and persistent underreporting. In the first half of 2024 alone, Africa saw a 160% increase in cases compared to the same period last year.

"These numbers underscore a significant and continuing threat to public health in the region," said a spokesperson for the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "The situation demands urgent international attention and intervention."

The situation outside West Africa is equally dire. Mpox cases have been recorded across East, Central, and Southern Africa. South Africa reported 22 confirmed cases and three deaths, while Cameroon, Rwanda, and Kenya are also grappling with new infections. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has tracked more than 99,000 cases and 208 deaths in over 1,000 countries. The United States, Brazil, Spain, and France are among the hardest-hit non-African nations, with the U.S. alone reporting over 33,000 cases.

The resurgence of Mpox, a viral zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans, has left many countries scrambling to contain its spread. Symptoms include fever, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes, but the virus can prove especially dangerous to children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. While a smallpox vaccine offers some protection, challenges remain in its distribution, particularly in remote areas of Africa.

In response to the crisis, WHO and regional health bodies have called for enhanced surveillance, improved testing capabilities, and more robust public health campaigns to raise awareness about the virus. Experts warn that failure to act swiftly could allow the virus to spread further, potentially overwhelming healthcare systems.

"Mpox is no longer just a local issue; it’s a global one," emphasized Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, in a recent press conference. "The world must come together to support the most affected regions, particularly those in Africa, to prevent a worsening catastrophe."

In the meantime, the residents of West Africa remain on high alert as health authorities race to contain the outbreak. For many in the region, the fear of Mpox is compounded by existing vulnerabilities, including weak healthcare infrastructure and limited access to medical resources. As the crisis deepens, the international community will be watching closely, hoping for swift action to prevent the situation from spiraling further out of control.

*Sources-ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance & Disease Control, Africa CDC, WHO.*