The World Health Organization (WHO) released its 35th situation report on August 12, 2024, detailing the ongoing spread of the mpox virus, particularly within the African Region from July to August 2024. The report underscores the continued transmission and the expanding geographic reach of the outbreak.
Global Overview:
In June 2024, WHO recorded 934 new laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox and four associated deaths across 26 countries. The African Region remains the most impacted, reporting 567 cases. Other affected regions include the Americas (175 cases), Europe (100 cases), the Western Pacific (81 cases), and Southeast Asia (11 cases). Notably, the Eastern Mediterranean region reported no new cases for June 2024.
Concerns Over Underreporting:
The report highlights concerns that the declining number of reports from countries may result in a significant underestimation of the actual global mpox case count.
Impact on Africa:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to bear the brunt of the outbreak in Africa, accounting for 96% of confirmed cases within the region. Limited access to testing, particularly in rural areas, exacerbates the issue of underreporting, with a national positivity rate of approximately 65%.
Expansion to Eastern Africa:
Between July and August 2024, mpox cases were confirmed for the first time in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, signaling the virus’s spread into Eastern Africa. These new cases are linked to the ongoing outbreak in East and Central Africa and belong to clade I. Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire is dealing with an outbreak connected to clade II MPXV, and South Africa has reported two additional confirmed cases.
