## Mpox in Africa: Navigating the Latest Outbreaks and Sustained Efforts Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, continues to pose a significant health challenge across the African continent. After initial observations of its spread in 2022, which largely remained manageable, the situation escalated dramatically in 2024. This prompted leading health bodies like the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, highlighting the urgency and widespread nature of the outbreaks. By the close of 2025, a total of 22 African nations had reported Mpox cases, with 21 of these receiving crucial support and assistance to manage their outbreaks. The coordinated interventions during this period proved effective, leading to a noticeable reduction in new cases around July and August of that year. However, this progress was bittersweet, as the same timeframe also witnessed a concerning resurgence in other areas. Countries in West Africa, including Guinea, Togo, and Sierra Leone, along with East African nations like Kenya and Tanzania, and Southern African countries such as Malawi and Mozambique, experienced a fresh wave of infections, signaling that the fight against Mpox was far from over. One particular area of concern was Guinea, where a rapid surge of at least 942 confirmed cases occurred within a short span. Investigations into these specific cases did not immediately link them to the Clade IIb strain commonly found in Nigeria or the prevalent strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), suggesting potential new pathways or variations of the virus emerging. Despite the continued impact on health and livelihoods, a review conducted by Africa CDC and WHO in September 2025 reclassified the Mpox situation from a Public Health Emergency of Concern to a Grade Three Disease Outbreak. This reclassification signifies a shift in the perceived immediate global risk but underscores that Mpox remains a serious and ongoing threat, demanding sustained attention from governments, partners, and humanitarian organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and their National Societies. ## Understanding Mpox: A Brief Overview Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the *Orthopoxvirus* family, which also includes the variola virus that causes smallpox. While Mpox symptoms are generally milder than smallpox, it can still cause significant illness, and in some cases, severe complications or death. The virus is zoonotic, meaning it can spread from animals to humans, but human-to-human transmission has become the dominant mode in recent outbreaks. Historically, Mpox has been endemic in parts of Central and West Africa, with sporadic human cases. However, the outbreaks observed since 2022, particularly the global spread, marked a significant change in its epidemiology. The virus manifests with distinct symptoms, typically starting with fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. Within a few days, a characteristic rash develops, often beginning on the face and spreading to other parts of the body, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. These lesions progress through different stages—macules, papules, vesicles, pustules—before forming scabs that eventually fall off, signaling recovery. ## How Mpox Spreads and Key Prevention Steps Mpox primarily spreads through close, direct contact with an infected person. This can include skin-to-skin contact, particularly during intimate physical contact, but also through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face interactions. Contact with contaminated materials, such as bedding, towels, or clothing used by an infected individual, can also transmit the virus. Furthermore, transmission from infected animals to humans can occur through bites, scratches, or by preparing and eating bushmeat from infected animals. Preventing the spread of Mpox relies on several key strategies: * **Avoid Close Contact:** Limit close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like Mpox. * **Hygiene Practices:** Regularly wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after contact with sick people or animals. * **Care with Contaminated Items:** Avoid touching bedding, towels, or clothing that has been used by someone with Mpox. * **Isolation:** Individuals diagnosed with Mpox should isolate themselves to prevent further transmission until their rash has healed and new skin has formed. * **Vaccination:** Vaccines originally developed for smallpox have shown effectiveness against Mpox. Targeted vaccination efforts for at-risk groups and contacts of confirmed cases are crucial in controlling outbreaks. * **Animal Handling:** In regions where the virus is endemic in animals, avoiding contact with wild animals, especially sick or dead ones, and ensuring proper cooking of all meat products, is important. ## Identifying the Viral Strains: Clade I and Clade II During the African outbreaks, health experts identified different genetic lineages or types of the virus, commonly referred to as clades. The source notice specifically mentions Clade I and Clade II. These clades represent different evolutionary branches of the monkeypox virus. Historically, Clade I has been associated with more severe disease and higher mortality rates, primarily found in the Congo Basin region, while Clade II, prevalent in West Africa, typically causes milder illness. However, the crucial takeaway for the public is that both Clade I and Clade II spread through similar mechanisms and can be prevented using the same established methods. The identification of these clades helps scientists track the virus's movement and evolution, but for practical prevention and control, the general advice remains consistent across strains. ## The Unwavering Role of Health Organizations The persistent threat of Mpox necessitates continuous and collaborative efforts from various health and humanitarian organizations. The IFRC, in partnership with National Societies across Africa, plays a vital role in community engagement, risk communication, and supporting public health responses. This includes educating communities about prevention, helping with case identification, and distributing aid. The Africa CDC and WHO provide crucial leadership in surveillance, laboratory confirmation, technical guidance, and resource mobilization, ensuring that countries have the tools and expertise needed to combat outbreaks. Their reclassification of Mpox to a Grade Three Disease Outbreak, while signaling a different phase, confirms that it remains a high-priority disease requiring sustained vigilance and response. These organizations, alongside national governments, are dedicated to protecting lives and mitigating the negative impacts of Mpox on communities and livelihoods throughout the continent. ## Looking Ahead: Sustained Vigilance is Key The journey to fully control Mpox in Africa is ongoing. Despite successful interventions that have previously reduced case numbers, the observed resurgences underscore the virus's unpredictable nature and the importance of sustained public health measures. Continuous monitoring, robust surveillance systems, effective risk communication, and equitable access to diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines are essential components of a long-term strategy. The focus remains on empowering communities with accurate information and resources, ensuring that health systems are prepared to respond to new or recurring infections, and ultimately, protecting the health and well-being of all African citizens.