Cameroon has reported two deaths and six confirmed cases of mpox since April, with an additional 40 suspected cases, according to the Health Ministry. Health Minister Malachie Manaouda stated that since the resurgence of mpox in April 2024, the country has identified 46 suspected cases, with six confirmed and two fatalities.
The current outbreak in Cameroon is not linked to the new, more virulent Clade 1b strain, which has been causing concern globally. The World Health Organization declared an international emergency four weeks ago due to a surge in Clade 1b cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its spread to neighboring countries.
In response to the outbreak, Cameroonian authorities have enhanced their surveillance, vaccination, and awareness efforts to prevent further spread. As of late August, mpox cases have been reported in 14 African countries.
Mpox is a viral disease transmitted from infected animals to humans and can also spread through close human contact. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and large skin lesions, and the disease can be fatal in some cases.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Burundi has 796 cases, Congo-Brazzaville has 162, and the Central African Republic has 45. The DRC remains the epicenter of the outbreak, with nearly 22,000 cases and 716 deaths recorded since January.
In response to the epidemic, about 3.6 million vaccines have been secured for distribution across African countries, with the initial batches already being deployed.
