ECDC statement on developments concerning mpox clade I outbreak in Africa
ECDC continues to monitor the monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak in Africa. ECDC is working with regional partners to assess the threat to the EU/EEA and will issue an updated risk assessment soon.
The publication follows Africa CDC’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security and the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization.
Since November 2023, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has seen a significant increase in mpox cases and the emergence of a new mpox clade I variant. The country has reported over 16 000 new cases and more than 500 deaths in 2024. Confirmed mpox cases have been reported in countries neighbouring DRC, such as the Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, and recently Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi. Monkeypox virus clade Ib which was first identified in DRC has now been detected in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and in Kenya.
Disease page
Mpox
The mpox (monkeypox) virus is transmitted to humans through a bite or direct contact with an infected animal’s blood, body fluids or cutaneous/mucosal lesions.