The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in a situation update on the continent’s health status, published Friday, that the Mpox virus is still spreading across 17 African countries.
“Between 14 September and 19 October, Mpox continued to spread in 17 African countries and caused 17 deaths,” the report stated, quoted by media, noting that “during this period the number of infected persons increased by 2,862.”
The virus is actively transmitted particularly in Central and East Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains the epidemic’s epicentre.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease has taken the lives of 1,129 people in Africa since the outbreak began at the end of 2023, bringing the total infections to 38,878.
The Mpox virus—formerly known as monkeypox—is a viral illness transmitted mainly through close contact with an infected person. It presents with a painful skin rash, swollen lymph nodes and fever, and can lead to very serious symptoms and leave scars.
