In a devastating blow to public health, the mpox outbreak in Africa is nearing a staggering death toll of 2,000 since the start of 2024, even as recent reports indicate a hopeful decline in case numbers, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

During a press briefing, Yap Boum II, the deputy incident manager for mpox at Africa CDC, revealed that 29 countries across the continent have reported a chilling total of 185,994 cases since early last year, including 51,969 confirmed cases and 1,987 fatalities.

Notably, in 2025 alone, Africa has already documented 105,697 mpox cases, surpassing last year's figures of 80,297. This alarming trend emphasizes the critical need for ongoing vigilance.

However, there is a silver lining; the Africa CDC highlighted a significant decrease in both confirmed and suspected cases in recent weeks, particularly from the peak period around May. Remarkably, the weekly average of confirmed cases plummeted by 52%, dropping from 1,441 in May to just 695 over the past five weeks.

The increase in testing capacity is also a beacon of hope, with testing coverage rising from 30% to an impressive 66% of all suspected cases in a matter of weeks, enabling quicker identification and isolation of cases.

Mpox, historically known as monkeypox, was first identified in laboratory monkeys back in 1958. This rare viral disease can spread through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated surfaces, often leading to symptoms like fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

In response to the escalating outbreak, the Africa CDC classified mpox as a public health emergency of continental concern in August of last year. Subsequently, the World Health Organization recognized it as a public health emergency of international concern, underscoring the serious and urgent nature of this health crisis.