11 African countries record 1,153 mpox cases in six weeks
The WHO reports that 11 African countries recorded over 1,100 mpox cases between July and August 2026, with Madagascar experiencing the highest burden. While global cases are being monitored, the report highlights the ongoing challenge of surveillance and reporting delays in the African region.
Why it matters
The persistence of mpox outbreaks in Africa underscores significant public health challenges and the need for improved global disease surveillance and response.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that 11 African countries recorded active transmission of mpox in the six weeks between 6 July and 16 August 2026, with 1,153 confirmed cases and seven deaths.
The organisation disclosed this in its Mpox: Multi-country External Situation Report published on 14 September.
According to the report, Madagascar recorded 785 cases, the highest during the period, followed by Angola with 184, Kenya with 94, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with 41, and Cameroon with 28.
WHO noted that “reported weekly confirmed cases have remained somewhat stable on the continent, with about 200 cases per week in recent weeks.”
However, it cautioned that the figures could be underestimated due to reporting delays and reduced surveillance.
The latest figures form part of the multi-country mpox outbreak, which has affected 35 African countries since January 2025.
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