Context:

Congo has declared the end of a two-year mpox outbreak, marking the conclusion of a health emergency after more than 2,200 suspected deaths and tens of thousands of cases. The decision follows years of regional spread that prompted a global health emergency and prompted authorities to intensify surveillance and response efforts. While over 161,000 suspected cases were reported in Congo and neighboring areas, testing confirmed about 37,000 cases, with a far smaller number of deaths verified by tests. The declaration signals a shift toward stabilization, though the disease remains a public health concern for ongoing monitoring and preparedness. The timing emphasizes a regional transition from emergency to routine disease management, with continued vigilance advised.

Dive Deeper:

• Congo’s Health Minister Roger Kamba announced that the two-year mpox outbreak is officially over and that it is no longer a national emergency, signaling a formal end to the crisis.

• The outbreak, which began attracting regional attention in 2024, spread across central Africa and prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency at its peak.

• According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Congo reported more than 161,000 suspected mpox cases from 2024 through the current year, with about 37,000 of those confirmed by laboratory tests.

• Official tallies show 2,286 suspected deaths, but only 127 of those fatalities were confirmed through testing, highlighting a discrepancy between suspected and confirmed outcomes.

• Mpox, or monkeypox, initially spread via close contact and animal vectors, with a later shift in 2022 showing transmission through sexual contact and leading to widespread outbreaks in over 70 countries.

• WHO has since ended its global emergency status, while national agencies and regional bodies continue to emphasize surveillance, vaccination, and preparedness to prevent resurgence.