The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has labeled the Mpox outbreak in Africa as a significant continental threat rather than simply a local issue. This declaration comes from Mohammed Omer Mukhier, the IFRC regional director for Africa.
The outbreak has resulted in over 17,000 suspected or confirmed cases, along with 500 fatalities across at least 12 countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This epidemic has exceeded the scale of previous years, with a case fatality rate of 3.2%. The rapid spread of the virus among new at-risk populations and to regions that have never encountered Mpox raises alarms.
Mukhier expressed deep concern regarding the recent surge in Mpox cases in Africa, emphasizing the need for immediate and coordinated action. He noted that since last year, the IFRC has been collaborating with DRC Red Cross teams to assist affected communities, but more efforts are required in coordination with local health ministries as the situation continues to evolve.
Grégoire Mateso, President of the DRC Red Cross, described the previous year as challenging, particularly with the emergence of a new, potentially more transmissible variant of Mpox known as Clade 1b, which complicates containment efforts. He highlighted the critical shortage of testing, vaccines, and treatment kits that can hinder the fight against the disease. There is also a pressing need for increased public awareness to tackle stigma and promote early detection and isolation of cases.