The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has revealed that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, and Uganda account for more than 84 percent of all confirmed mpox cases on the continent.
This statistic reflects data up to epidemiological week 25 of 2025 and highlights the unequal distribution of the disease burden, even as overall case numbers decline.
During a virtual news conference on Friday, Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya said the DRC alone represents 62 percent of all confirmed mpox cases reported since the current outbreak began.
“While we’re seeing a consistent decline in mpox cases across Africa over the last six weeks, the burden remains overwhelmingly concentrated in just a few countries,” Kaseya said. “This calls for tailored and intensified response efforts in these hotspots.”
According to Kaseya, between January 2024 and June 2025, the continent recorded over 75,630 suspected mpox cases and 25,175 confirmed cases, resulting in 574 deaths.
Uganda, Sierra Leone, and the DRC continue to lead in case numbers, with Uganda reporting over 6,900 confirmed cases, Sierra Leone 4,297, and the DRC 27,940.
The Africa CDC chief noted a concerning trend: an increasing number of infections among children under 15. In Burundi, nearly 47 percent of confirmed cases fall in this age group, while in Uganda, the figure stands at over 11 percent.
He also revealed that men account for more than two-thirds of all confirmed mpox cases continent-wide, pointing to possible gender-based exposure patterns that require further investigation.
Despite high testing accuracy in countries that submit samples, Kaseya said overall testing coverage remains low due to logistical challenges. “Poor sample transport, particularly in remote parts of the DRC and Sierra Leone, continues to hinder early detection and response,” he explained.
However, Sierra Leone has recorded improvements, with a rapid test turnaround time of just 2.5 days and an 85 percent positivity rate, indicating more targeted and efficient testing.
On vaccination, Kaseya reported that over 698,000 people across 11 African countries have received at least one dose of the mpox vaccine. The DRC leads in vaccination efforts, with over 530,000 people inoculated—accounting for 75 percent of the continent’s total.
Sierra Leone recently completed its second vaccination round, reaching over 70,000 people since the campaign started on June 23. Yet, vaccine stockouts remain a significant hurdle, with shortages reported in Liberia and parts of Sierra Leone.
Kaseya noted that challenges persist in the treatment of mpox. Several health centres in Uganda and the DRC are facing shortages of essential medicines, fuel for ambulances, and hygiene staff. In cities like Entebbe and Fort Portal, treatment units are struggling with admissions that exceed capacity.
Nevertheless, he reported progress in patient care protocols and health worker training, contributing to a gradual drop in case fatality rates, now at 0.5 percent continent-wide.
Kaseya called on African Union Member States to adopt an integrated emergency response that addresses both mpox and concurrent cholera outbreaks, especially in regions affected by conflict, climate shocks, and weak sanitation infrastructure.
“The mpox epidemic remains a public health emergency of continental security (PHECS), and we must not relent in our efforts,” he warned.
Mpox is a viral illness similar to smallpox, spread through close contact. It causes fever, rash, and swollen glands, and can be particularly severe in children and individuals with weakened immune systems.
