WHO Warns of Hidden Mpox Spread in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark update on the ongoing mpox epidemic in Africa, revealing that 11 countries recorded active transmission of the virus over a recent six-week period. According to the latest "Mpox: Multi-country External Situation Report" published on September 14, 2026, the continent logged 1,153 confirmed cases and seven deaths between July 6 and August 16, 2026.

The report provides a granular breakdown of the outbreak’s epicenters during this timeframe. Madagascar bore the brunt of the recent surge, recording 785 cases, which accounts for the vast majority of the new infections. Angola followed with 184 cases, while Kenya reported 94. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), historically the epicenter of mpox in Africa, recorded 41 cases during this specific window, and Cameroon reported 28 cases.

While the WHO noted that reported weekly confirmed cases have remained "somewhat stable on the continent, with about 200 cases per week in recent weeks," health officials strongly cautioned that these official figures likely represent a significant underestimation of the true disease burden. The organization attributed this discrepancy to persistent reporting delays, fragmented health data systems, and reduced active surveillance in several hard-to-reach regions.

This recent six-week snapshot is part of a much larger, protracted multi-country mpox outbreak that has plagued the African continent since January 2025. Cumulative data from the WHO indicates that between January 1, 2025, and August 16, 2026, a staggering 52,424 confirmed mpox cases and 238 deaths have been reported across 35 African countries.

Public health experts emphasize that the apparent stability in weekly case numbers should not be interpreted as a sign of outbreak containment. Rather, it reflects a complex interplay of endemic transmission, cross-border movement, and systemic gaps in diagnostic capacity. The DRC, in particular, continues to face immense challenges in managing the more severe clade I variant of the virus, which is associated with higher mortality rates, especially among children and immunocompromised individuals.

The WHO’s latest situation report underscores the urgent need for fortified public health infrastructure. Health authorities warn that reduced surveillance means the virus could be circulating undetected in communities, posing a continuous risk of localized flare-ups and cross-border spillover. This highlights the critical importance of robust, real-time epidemiological tracking to guide effective interventions.

To combat this persistent threat, global health advocates are renewing calls for equitable access to mpox countermeasures. While vaccine rollout campaigns have seen incremental progress in select African nations, supply chain bottlenecks and funding shortfalls continue to hinder widespread immunization efforts. Furthermore, strengthening community-level health education remains paramount to dispelling stigma, encouraging early healthcare-seeking behavior, and promoting safe practices that interrupt transmission chains.

The concentration of recent cases in Madagascar and Angola also highlights the dynamic and shifting nature of the outbreak, requiring tailored, context-specific interventions. In Madagascar, rapid response teams are being deployed to enhance contact tracing and isolate cases in rural districts. Meanwhile, Angola and Kenya are focusing on bolstering their laboratory networks to ensure faster turnaround times for diagnostic testing.

As the international community navigates this prolonged public health challenge, the WHO continues to urge member states to maintain high levels of vigilance. The organization recommends that countries with active transmission intensify their surveillance efforts, ensure adequate isolation and clinical care for suspected cases, and accelerate the deployment of vaccines to high-risk populations.

Ultimately, the data from this six-week period serves as a critical reminder that the fight against mpox in Africa is far from over. Bridging the gap between reported cases and actual transmission will require sustained political will, increased international funding, and a renewed commitment to health equity. Until surveillance systems are fully restored, the true scale of the outbreak will remain obscured, leaving vulnerable populations at continued risk.