Mpox Deaths Surpass 1,750 Across 24 African Countries Amid Sierra Leone Surge

Africa is experiencing a severe mpox outbreak with over 129,000 cases and more than 1,750 deaths reported since the start of 2024, according to the Africa CDC. Sierra Leone has become the epicenter, accounting for over half of the continent's confirmed cases this week, with a 63% increase in infections and only 60 treatment beds available for 800 active cases, highlighting critical funding and resource shortages. Despite some declines in cases in countries like Uganda and Burundi, transmission remains widespread with high-risk mortality, especially among people co-infected with HIV, and urban and fishing communities being hotspots. Testing rates have decreased, making it difficult to determine if recent case declines reflect actual improvements or under-detection. The Africa CDC also warned of an overall increase in public health emergencies across Africa, with mpox, cholera, dengue, and Lassa fever among the top outbreaks. Efforts to control the outbreak are hindered by inadequate funding, insufficient contact tracing, and limited laboratory capacity.