New Mpox Outbreaks Erupt in Kenya and Central African Republic
Kenya and the Central African Republic have reported fresh outbreaks of mpox, with health officials racing against time to curb the virus’s spread in an area already grappling with limited vaccine supplies.
This past Wednesday, Nairobi confirmed its outbreak after identifying a case in a traveler who crossed into Rwanda from Uganda via a southern border checkpoint in Kenya. The Central African Republic announced its situation on Monday, revealing that the outbreak has reached the capital city, Bangui.
Mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, is a viral infection that primarily stems from wild animals but can occasionally jump to humans, who then may transmit it to others.
“We are extremely alarmed about the mpox cases devastating region 7 of the country,” said Pierre Somse, the Central African Republic’s Public Health Minister, during a Monday briefing.
This illness captured global attention during an international surge in 2022, when it was reported across over 100 countries. Mpox has been endemic to certain areas of Central and West Africa for decades.
Fideline Kiza Kasao, age 45, closely monitors the recovery of her son, Kito Balume, seated outside their temporary shelter at the Muja displaced persons camp in North Kivu province, DRC, on July 18, 2024. (Reuters Photo)
In November, the World Health Organization highlighted the first confirmed cases of sexual transmission of mpox in Congo, a development African researchers have warned could complicate containment efforts.
While mpox outbreaks in Western nations were managed effectively with vaccines and treatments, those resources remain alarmingly scarce in many parts of Africa, where several countries have reported increasing cases in recent months.
Congo stands out as the hardest-hit nation on the continent, having recorded over 12,000 cases and at least 470 fatalities this year during its most significant outbreak. Meanwhile, South Africa—last reporting a case in 2022—has also faced a resurgence this year.
In regions of the Central African Republic where the virus is most prevalent, government officials are rallying public support to bolster their containment strategies.
The East African Community regional organization issued a statement to alert its member nations about the concerning situation in Congo, which shares borders with five countries. Among them, Burundi has confirmed three cases.
Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, the deputy secretary general of the bloc, urged partner states on Monday to “share crucial information about the virus and implement preventive measures immediately.”
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