Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control has revealed that monkeypox continues to spread in the region, with 44 confirmed cases and one death recorded by end of Epi Week 33, 2024.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to the report released to the press on Saturday; Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Ghana are the hardest-hit countries in the continent.
The report stated, “As of August 15, 2024, the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control continues to monitor the Mpox situation in the ECOWAS region, as well as continental and global level.” 
“As at 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; Nigeria (24), Cote d’Ivoire (11), Liberia (5) and Ghana (4).”
Africa has continued to experience significant challenges in controlling the spread of Mpox, with a marked increase in cases and fatalities since the beginning of 2024.
With 37,583 cases and 1,451 deaths reported this year, Africa is facing a massive public health emergency.
Democratic Republic of Congo has 96.3 per cent of all cases and 97 per cent of deaths continent-wide in 2024 alone.
First half of 2024 saw an explosive rise in infections across Africa—14,250 Mpox cases and 456 deaths—representing a 160 per cent increase in cases and a 19 per cent jump in fatalities compared to the same period last year.
Democratic Republic of Congo remains epicentre of the outbreak, with a case fatality rate of 3.2 per cent, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
The report added, “However, the African continent has continued to experience significant challenges in controlling the spread of Mpox, with a marked increase in cases and fatalities 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 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the most affected, accounting for 96.3 per cent of all cases and 97 per cent of deaths in 2024 alone.”
“In the first half of 2024, the continent saw 14,250 Mpox cases, including 2,745 confirmed cases and 456 deaths, representing a significant increase in both cases 160 per cent and deaths 19 per cent compared to the same period in 2023. The case fatality rate stands at 3.2 per cent for 2024, with the highest burden in DRC.”
In June 2024 alone, 567 new cases were reported in the African region, highlighting relentless spread of the virus.
The Centre stated, “June 2024 saw a global continuation of Mpox transmission, with 567 new cases reported from the African Region, further underscoring the ongoing public health emergency.”
The Regional Centre called for an immediate scaling up of response efforts, stressing the need for urgent public awareness campaigns to educate communities about prevention and symptoms.
It said, “We recommend strengthened surveillance systems to promptly detect and respond to monkeypox cases. Timely reporting and robust case management are critical in mitigating the spread of the virus.”
“Given the cross-border nature of disease transmission, we strongly encourage enhanced cooperation among neighbouring countries.”
“Coordinated efforts in surveillance, data sharing, and joint outbreak response will be instrumental in containing the spread of monkeypox across borders.”
