Attachments
Highlights
- The Government of the Union of the Comoros declared an mpox outbreak on 23 January 2026, with seven confirmed cases reported to date, including two locally transmitted cases. No deaths have been reported, with four patients recovered and three currently under care in designated treatment facilities.
- Cross-border transmission risk remains high, linked to population movements with Madagascar and Mayotte, where mpox cases have also been reported.
- National response activated, including enhanced surveillance at points of entry, contact tracing, and local PCR diagnostic capacity.
- UNICEF is supporting the Government-led response, focusing on risk communication and community engagement, community-based surveillance and strengthening infection prevention and control across health facilities.
Situation overview
The Ministry of Health of the Union of the Comoros declared an mpox outbreak on 23 January 2026 following laboratory confirmation of cases linked to regional transmission. As of 28 January 2026, seven mpox cases have been confirmed, all among males aged 16–39 years, with no deaths reported. Four patients have recovered, while three remain under clinical care in designated treatment sites.
Epidemiological investigations indicate that five of the seven confirmed cases were imported, primarily linked to recent travel from Madagascar, with two cases resulting from local transmission. This confirms the transition from a high-risk preparedness context to active in-country transmission.
Cases have been reported in Ngazidja (Grande Comore) and Ndzuwani (Anjouan), with no cases detected to date in Mwali (Mohéli). A total of 61 contacts are currently under follow-up, and screening activities at points of entry have reached 2,884 passengers.
The outbreak involves the mpox clade Ib, which has been associated with increased transmission risks, underscoring the need for sustained surveillance, infection prevention and control, and community engagement.