By Kemo Cham
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has extended the public health emergency on Mpox for six months.
The Africa CDC said that the decision by its Director General, Jean Kaseya followed the recommendation of the agency’s Emergency Consultative Group (ECG). The World Health Organization’s ECG also made similar recommendations.
“This decision follows a comprehensive review of the ongoing outbreak, highlighting rising case numbers, continued spread to new countries, the emergence of a highly transmissible new variant, and persistent challenges in vaccine supply and distribution,” the agency said in a statement on Friday, February 28.
Following the announcement, Africa CDC said it is preparing to launch the 2nd phase of the continental response plan for the disease, which will see current response efforts intensified by the agency’s Incident Management Support Team (IMST).
Africa CDC first declared Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) on 13 August 2024, following escalation of cases across the continent. The agency said on Thursday that the outbreak has continued to escalate since then.
“Reported cases have surged, with the weekly average tripling from 909 in August 2024 to 3,264 in February 2025, despite response efforts,” it said, adding: “Additionally, Mpox has spread to nine more African countries since the PHECS declaration, of which two countries since the beginning of this year, reinforcing the need for sustained vigilance and intervention.
According to Africa CDC, of particular concern is the emergence of the Clade Ia (APOBEC3) variant, which is highly transmissible and poses significant additional public health risks.
The Africa CDC ECG comprises experts in epidemiology who advises the Director General on critical matters concerning decisions taken at the continental level. It is chaired by South African scientist, Professor Salim Abdool Karim.
The group highlighted surveillance and testing gaps, vaccination strategies that did not maximize coverage, and underreporting of cases, all exacerbated by worsening security conditions in affected regions especially in Eastern DRC, the epicenter of the epidemic.
“These challenges have been compounded by the suspension of foreign aid by the U.S. government, disrupting critical outbreak control activities such as sample collection and shipment,” the agency said, noting that simultaneous outbreaks of Ebola, Marburg, measles, cholera, and other febrile illnesses were further straining fragile health systems, underscoring the urgency of a coordinated Mpox response.
“The outbreak remains uncontrolled, resources are insufficient, surveillance systems are weak, and health systems in many affected countries are struggling to contain the spread. Given these challenges, the ECG unanimously agreed that maintaining the PHECS status is crucial to ensuring continued coordination, partner engagement, and resource allocation for an effective Mpox response,” said Professor Karim.
“Africa CDC will intensify efforts to improve vaccine delivery strategies, strengthen surveillance, accelerate laboratory decentralization, improve outbreak monitoring, and integrate Mpox response efforts into broader public health initiatives,” said Dr. Kaseya, adding that his organization will also advocate for alternative funding mechanisms, including increased domestic investment and innovative financing, to mitigate the impact of external funding suspensions.
