The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention of the Africa Union, Africa CDC, has confirmed a total of 21,466 Mpox cases and 591 deaths in 13 African countries since the beginning of 2024.
The Director General of the Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya who gave the update in a letter to the Ministers of Health of the African Union Member States, called for a holistic approach to the Mpox response among African Union Member States.
In the letter titled: “ Update on the Mpox outbreak in Africa”, Kaseya advocated universal approval of introduction of Mpox vaccines in Africa
“From 2023 to date, the Mpox viral zoonotic disease has been reported in 16 African Union
Member States in all five AU regions, with a high case fatality rate above 3.9 percent.
“From 1st January 2024 to 23rd August 2024, a total of 21,466 cases (3,350 confirmed; 18,116
suspected) and 591 deaths with case fatality rate (CFR): 2.9 percent of Mpox, have been reported from 13 Africa Union (AU) Member States.”
The affected countries were listed as Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda and Nigeria.
“Even as I wrote this letter, Gabon has confirmed its first case, while Sierra Leone and Malawi are now testing their suspected cases,” Kayesa stated.
On the confirmation of Mpox cases by Member States, Kaseya declared, “Some of you are reaching out to us especially in the context where lab is negative for Mpox. To better advise you, Africa CDC have also consulted.
“I consulted our African best epidemiology and lab experts but also international experts and appropriate bodies like US CDC, China CDC, Europe CDC and WHO.
“I would like to draw Your Excellencies’ attention to the fact that a negative test result in the laboratory does not mean there is no Mpox epidemic.
“The conclusion is that relying solely on laboratory test results for diagnosing Mpox is not advisable. We need a holistic approach that integrates laboratory testing with clinical assessment and epidemiological data that is essential for accurately diagnosing and managing Mpox,” he explained.
Kaseya said diagnosis and management of Mpox should involve a comprehensive approach that considers multiple factors that include clinical presentation, epidemiological context, history, risk factors, and lab testing among others .
“Regarding the Mpox testing, it can sometimes yield a negative result in the laboratory even when the disease is present due to several factors. The accuracy of Mpox testing depends significantly on when the sample is collected.
“If the sample is taken too early or too late in the course of the infection, the viral load might be too low to be detected.
“The signs and symptoms of Mpox, such as fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and lesions, are critical in diagnosing the disease. A thorough clinical examination is essential, especially when laboratory results are inconclusive or negative.
“Understanding the patient’s exposure history, such as contact
with known cases or travel to areas with ongoing Mpox outbreaks, is crucial. This context can provide strong evidence for a probable case, even in the absence of positive lab results,” he asserted.
In his view, while important, lab tests should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical and epidemiological data.
