Over 61,000 cases and 296 deaths recorded across 32 African countries since 2024 as continent-wide clinical trials gain momentum.

Africa has recorded more than 61,383 cases of mpox and 296 deaths across 32 countries since 2024, prompting continent-wide efforts to develop effective treatment options for the disease.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The statement followed the announcement of a collaboration agreement between Emergent BioSolutions and the Pandemic Preparedness Platform for Health and Emerging Infections Response (PANTHER). The partnership aims to provide additional financial support for the Africa CDC-led Mpox Study in Africa (MOSA).

Launched in 2024, the MOSA initiative is a double-blind, platform-adaptive clinical trial designed to evaluate potential treatment options for patients diagnosed with mpox across multiple African countries.

According to the Africa CDC, the study represents a major step toward strengthening Africa’s capacity to respond to emerging and re-emerging public health threats.

Speaking on the development, Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, described the study as critical to building scientific evidence for mpox treatment on the continent.

“This study represents a critical step in generating evidence to inform mpox treatment and strengthen Africa’s capacity to respond to emerging health threats,” Kaseya said.

He added that Africa CDC would continue working with partners to advance research, improve preparedness, and enhance rapid outbreak response across Africa.

The study, which initially received funding from the European Union and Africa CDC, has largely focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), one of the countries most affected by recurring mpox outbreaks.

Africa CDC and PANTHER have also announced plans to expand the clinical trial to additional countries, including Uganda, as patient enrolment continues.

Africa has been affected by both major mpox clades — Clade I, which is endemic to Central Africa and associated with more severe illness, and Clade II, which is more common in West Africa. Recent outbreaks have involved subclades Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb.

Health experts noted that the MOSA trial is particularly significant, as there is currently no dedicated antiviral treatment specifically approved for mpox.

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