Mpox in East Africa: Confronting a public health emergency

The recent resurgence of Mpox, particularly its impact on
Africa, highlights existing health disparities and regional
vulnerabilities. While the World Health Organization
(WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in July 2022, the escalating
situation in Africa, especially East Africa, underscores the
troubling trend of rising cases amidst constrained resources.1
In response to a new outbreak in August 2024, WHO issued
another PHEIC, which was triggered by a different clade of
the virus with a higher mortality rate, particularly affecting
East Africa.2 Although Mpox was initially concentrated in
Central and West Africa, it has shown the ability to evolve
rapidly and extend its geographical reach. This is especially
troubling in East Africa, where healthcare infrastructure
and disease surveillance are notably limited.3 Historically,
East Africa has reported lower incidence rates than other
parts of the continent; however, the current emergence of
Mpox in this region now represents a critical public health
emergency. The surge in cases can be partly attributed to
the expanding outbreak and enhanced national responses,
which have led to increased testing and confirmation
of cases, particularly in the Democratic Republic of
the Congo (DRC). In July and August 2024, four East