Africa Declares Victory Over Mpox Health Emergency

Africa just closed the book on a major health crisis, and the numbers tell a remarkable story of what coordinated action can accomplish.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Saturday that the continent is no longer facing a public health emergency over mpox. Just months after the viral infection became a crisis primarily affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo, cases have plummeted by 60% and the death rate among infected people dropped from 2.6% to just 0.6%.

The turnaround came from a focused strategy. More than five million mpox vaccines reached people across 16 African countries since 2024, paired with improved detection and treatment programs.

Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa CDC, emphasized this isn't a declaration that mpox has disappeared. The virus remains present in several regions, particularly in the DRC, Guinea, and Madagascar. But the emergency phase has ended, replaced by a long-term approach focused on elimination.

The announcement follows a similar decision by the World Health Organization in September, which lifted its global health emergency status for mpox. WHO had declared the worldwide emergency in August 2024 when a two-pronged epidemic broke out, with Africa accounting for 78% of all cases globally.

The Ripple Effect

This victory demonstrates how quickly health systems can adapt when equipped with the right tools. The same infrastructure and expertise built during this response will strengthen Africa's ability to handle future outbreaks of any kind.

The vaccination rollout across 16 countries created new networks for delivering medical care to remote areas. Health workers gained experience in rapid response coordination. Communities learned to recognize symptoms and seek treatment earlier, contributing to the dramatic drop in deaths.

These improvements don't vanish when one disease retreats. They become permanent assets for protecting public health across the continent.

African health officials are maintaining their vigilance even as they celebrate this milestone. Continued monitoring and targeted investments will help prevent mpox from surging again while the continent works toward complete elimination.

The shift from emergency response to sustained country-led programs marks a new chapter in Africa's approach to infectious disease, one built on lessons learned and infrastructure that's here to stay.