The ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control has reported a continued spread of monkeypox in the region, with 44 confirmed cases and one death recorded by the end of Epi Week 33, 2024.
The hardest-hit countries within ECOWAS are Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Ghana.
This update was included in a report released on Friday, August 16, and shared with journalists the following day.
Monkeypox, also known as Mpox, is a zoonotic viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which is part of the Orthopoxvirus genus. While it bears similarities to smallpox, Mpox is generally less severe.
The virus spreads from animals to humans through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or lesions of infected animals. Human-to-human transmission occurs via respiratory droplets, contact with infected body fluids, or exposure to contaminated objects.
“As of August 15, 2024, the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control continues to monitor the Mpox situation within the ECOWAS region, as well as at the continental and global levels.
“By the end of Epi Week 33, a total of 44 confirmed cases and one death have been reported in the ECOWAS region since the beginning of the year. These cases are distributed across Nigeria (24), Côte d’Ivoire (11), Liberia (5), and Ghana (4),” the report noted.
However, the African continent as a whole continues to face significant challenges in controlling the spread of Mpox, with a sharp rise in cases and fatalities since the start of 2024.
With 37,583 cases and 1,451 deaths reported this year, the continent is grappling with a public health crisis.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the epicenter of this outbreak, accounting for a staggering 96.3 percent of all cases and 97 percent of deaths across the continent in 2024 alone.
During the first half of 2024, Africa saw a dramatic surge in infections—14,250 Mpox cases and 456 deaths—representing a 160 percent increase in cases and a 19 percent rise in fatalities compared to the same period last year. The DRC continues to bear the brunt, with a case fatality rate of 3.2 percent, highlighting the severity of the situation.
“Despite efforts, the African continent has continued to face challenges in containing the spread of Mpox, with cases and deaths significantly rising since the beginning of 2024.
“A total of 37,583 cases and 1,451 deaths have been reported across 15 African Union Member States. The DRC remains the most affected, with 96.3 percent of cases and 97 percent of deaths reported in 2024 alone.
“During the first half of 2024, the continent saw 14,250 Mpox cases, including 2,745 confirmed cases and 456 deaths, reflecting a 160 percent increase in cases and a 19 percent rise in deaths compared to the same period in 2023. The case fatality rate for 2024 stands at 3.2 percent, with the DRC experiencing the highest burden,” the report added.
In June 2024 alone, 567 new cases were reported in the African region, further highlighting the relentless spread of the virus.
The Centre stated, “June 2024 witnessed a continuation of Mpox transmission globally, with 567 new cases reported from the African Region, further underscoring the ongoing public health emergency.”
In response, the Regional Centre has called for an immediate intensification of efforts to combat the outbreak, emphasizing the need for public awareness campaigns to educate communities on prevention and symptoms.
“We recommend strengthening surveillance systems to ensure timely detection and response to monkeypox cases. Timely reporting and effective case management are critical in curbing the spread of the virus.
“Given the cross-border nature of disease transmission, we strongly encourage enhanced cooperation among neighboring countries. Coordinated efforts in surveillance, data sharing, and joint outbreak response will be crucial in containing the spread of monkeypox across borders,” it advised.
In a related development, the Africa Centre for Disease Control recently declared Mpox a “public health emergency of continental security” due to its spread across multiple countries.
Additionally, the European Union has pledged to donate 215,000 doses of vaccines to Africa in a significant effort to combat the ongoing Mpox outbreak on the continent.
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