As of December 15, 2024, Africa has recorded 13,769 confirmed Mpox cases across 20 countries, resulting in 60 deaths, according to WHO’s latest report.

The DRC remains the epicenter, accounting for 9,513 confirmed cases. While the epidemic trend in the DRC has stabilized in recent weeks, WHO warns against overconfidence, citing potential delays in reporting.

The outbreak has been complicated by the emergence of clade 1b, a more virulent and poorly understood variant first identified in the DRC in September 2023.

This strain has since been detected in other countries, including Sweden and Thailand, marking its geographical expansion beyond Africa.

Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, is transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated materials, or animals. Clade 1b’s estimated mortality rate of 3.6% is significantly higher than that of earlier strains, raising global alarm.

The WHO emphasized the need for continued vigilance, noting the limited understanding of clade 1b’s transmissibility and long-term impact. Efforts to monitor and control the outbreak are ongoing as cases continue to be reported both within and outside Africa.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains the epicentre of the Mpox outbreak.