Africa is grappling with several high-burden health emergencies, including widespread cholera outbreaks, rising Mpox cases, and ongoing viral haemorrhagic fever events, even as the continent receives significant global funding to strengthen pandemic preparedness.
Prof. Yap Boum, Incident Manager for Health Emergencies at Africa CDC, made the remarks on Friday during the continent’s virtual weekly press briefing. He described Africa as a “high-threat environment” but commended governments and partners for aligning with the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda.
“Progress is only possible when we deliver at scale and keep Africa’s people at the centre of our work,” Boum said.
At the recent Pandemic Fund Board Meeting in Kigali, Africa received $234 million, representing 47 per cent of all approved funds under the Fund’s Third Call for Proposals. Africa CDC also secured an additional $40 million to enhance cross-border surveillance, regional coordination, and community-level monitoring in high-risk countries. Senegal, Cameroon, South Sudan, Angola, Zimbabwe, Somalia, and Malawi were among the nations awarded new financing for health security.
Boum reported that Africa recorded over 308,935 cholera cases and 7,131 deaths in 2025, a sharp rise from previous years. South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, and Nigeria accounted for nearly 88 per cent of all cholera cases. Angola, Kenya, Mozambique, and Burundi experienced significant surges between epidemiological weeks 41–46, with Angola alone reporting more than 34,000 cases and 877 deaths.
The Mpox outbreak remains widespread, with Africa reporting 132,008 suspected cases and 40,138 confirmed cases in 2025—more than double the 2024 figures. Sierra Leone has recorded a 99 per cent decline, reaching 31 days without a confirmed case, while Liberia remains a major driver of recent increases. A new Mpox case was confirmed this week in Mali, triggering immediate surveillance and laboratory response.
Boum also highlighted other viral outbreaks: Ethiopia continues to manage a Marburg Virus Disease outbreak in Jinka town, with 12 confirmed cases and seven deaths. In the DRC, the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak is nearing closure, with no new confirmed cases since September 27. Namibia reported a confirmed fatal case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), prompting an emergency response.
The Africa CDC official warned of a critical health workforce gap, noting that the continent currently has only half of the 2 million community health workers required for strong primary healthcare and early outbreak detection. A recent BMJ Global Health article by Africa CDC officials emphasizes that fragmented and underfunded CHW programmes undermine the continent’s health security.
To date, more than 4.8 million Mpox vaccine doses have been delivered to 16 countries, with over 1.9 million people vaccinated. Kenya and Liberia are expected to receive additional doses in early December, while Mozambique began its roll-out on November 27.
Boum urged sustained investment and coordination, stressing that climate-linked outbreaks, weak water and sanitation systems, and strained health infrastructure continue to challenge national capacities.
“We must expand surveillance, scale up community health worker programmes, and strengthen emergency operations. Africa needs stronger systems, smarter investments, and deeper collaboration,” he said.
