The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says the continent recorded fewer disease outbreaks in January 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
However, it expressed concern that Mpox and cholera continue to pose significant public health threats.
The Deputy Incident Manager for Mpox at the Africa CDC Incident Management Support Team (IMST), Prof Yap Boum II, disclosed this on Friday.
He was speaking at the weekly high-level regional press briefing, where he noted that Mpox remains active in several countries across the continent.
Boum II said “although progress had been made in reducing the number of outbreaks, transmission of Mpox had not ended despite the lifting of its Public Health Emergency status.”
According to him, six African countries currently account for about 91 per cent of reported Mpox cases, underscoring the need for sustained surveillance and response efforts.
“Mpox is not over. The emergency status was lifted, but transmission continues, and countries must remain vigilant,” he said.
On cholera, he noted that 11 African countries are currently affected, with Nigeria among those contributing significantly to the disease burden.
He said cross-border movements continue to fuel cholera transmission, citing interconnected outbreaks reported in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia.
However, he commended Kenya for successfully declaring an end to its cholera outbreak after months of coordinated public health response.
He said the agency would continue to work with affected countries to strengthen surveillance, risk communication and cross-border collaboration to prevent further spread of the diseases.
NAN