WHO Reports Possible Plateau in Mpox Cases Amid Rising Threats in Africa

LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday that cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in the Congo region, where a highly contagious variant was first detected, might be stabilizing. However, the virus is on the rise in several other areas of the country and neighboring nations, including Burundi and Uganda.

According to the WHO's latest report, while mpox infections are showing an overall increasing trend in Congo, they seem to have plateaued in South Kivu, the province where this new variant began spreading among vulnerable populations, specifically sex workers and miners in the gold mining town of Kamituga.

Despite this glimmer of hope in South Kivu, WHO officials pointed out that a lack of widespread testing complicates efforts to fully grasp the virus's transmission dynamics. Recent data indicates that Congo has seen fewer than 100 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases, a significant decline from nearly 400 in July. This stabilization presents a crucial opportunity for health authorities to work toward eradicating the outbreak completely.

To combat the ongoing health crisis, approximately 50,000 individuals in Congo have been vaccinated against mpox. However, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 3 million vaccines are necessary for effective containment of the outbreak. Dr. Jean Kaseya, the director of Africa CDC, emphasized that the continent remains in the acute phase of the mpox epidemic, with 19 countries impacted, warning that without sufficient resources, the virus could evolve into a global health threat.

The emerging variant is also driving the outbreak in Burundi, where it appears to produce milder symptoms, leading to increased transmission rates, particularly among children and young adults. The nation has experienced over 200 new mpox cases weekly for the past two weeks. Meanwhile, in Uganda, 100 new cases were reported last week, predominantly among sexually active adults, underscoring the need for targeted health initiatives in this demographic.

Mpox is primarily transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials such as clothing and bedding. Common manifestations include visible skin lesions, which can discourage close interactions, but asymptomatic cases pose a significant risk for unnoticed transmission.

In August, WHO declared the rapid surge of mpox cases in Congo and Africa a global health emergency. The continent has cumulatively recorded over 46,000 suspected cases, leading to a heartbreaking count of 1,081 fatalities.

Looking ahead, the WHO has scheduled an expert meeting for Nov. 22 to assess whether mpox still warrants classification as an international emergency.

Adding to the urgency, last week, the United Kingdom reported its first case of this more transmissible variant outside of Africa, involving an individual who had recently traveled to the continent. This case has prompted health authorities to take necessary precautions as three other household contacts have also tested positive and are receiving treatment in London hospitals.

As the situation evolves, global health advocates emphasize that vigilant monitoring and swift responses are critical to containing this outbreak and preventing further spread.