The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has issued an urgent call to action as the continent faces a growing number of public health emergencies, including Mpox, cholera and anthrax outbreaks.
During its weekly media briefing on Thursday, the director-general of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening its response under the newly launched Mpox Response Plan 2.0.
Kaseya revealed that as of epidemiological week 14, Mpox has been reported in at least 12 African countries, with more than 27,000 confirmed cases and 167 deaths recorded since the beginning of 2024. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains the epicentre, while Uganda has emerged as a hotspot, accounting for 51 per cent of this week’s reported cases. He noted that mortality rates remain particularly high among people living with HIV.
To combat the outbreak, over 662,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine have been distributed across 10 African countries, with 595,000 individuals already vaccinated. Uganda alone has administered 61,000 doses, primarily targeting high-risk populations such as long-distance truck drivers, fisherfolk and individuals within sex networks. Kaseya added that the DRC has waived certain requirements to expedite vaccine deliveries, now focusing efforts on the Kivu provinces.
In addition to Mpox, Africa CDC is responding to cholera outbreaks in Angola and the DRC, as well as anthrax cases reported in Uganda and among wildlife in the DRC. Angola, in particular, has recorded 12,368 cholera cases and 473 deaths, with children under the age of 15 being the most affected demographic.
Kaseya emphasised the importance of an integrated, multi-disease response. “We are promoting a unified approach to public health emergencies by linking Mpox, cholera, anthrax and measles into a single coordinated strategy,” he said, citing cross-border surveillance and the One Health approach as vital tools.
He also warned of the growing global dimension of Mpox, noting confirmed cases in the UK, Switzerland and China. “Many of these cases are linked to travel from Africa or are spreading within men’s sexual networks,” he stated.
Africa CDC’s Response Plan 2.0 is anchored on three pillars: intensification, integration and legacy. The strategy aims to reduce Mpox cases by half in endemic regions while building long-term resilience for future outbreaks. Kaseya also announced expanded partnerships, including the recent donation of 23,000 MVA-BN vaccine doses from Spain and ongoing efforts to decentralise diagnostics and strengthen national health systems.
