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This Weekly Bulletin focuses on public health emergencies occurring in the WHO African Region. This week’s articles cover:
- Mpox in Kenya
- Acute Febrile Syndrome previously Unknown Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Complex Humanitarian Crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
For each of these events, a brief description is provided, followed by public health measures implemented and an interpretation of the situation.
At the end of the bulletin, a table provides information on all new and ongoing public health events currently being monitored in the region, as well as recent events that have been controlled and closed..
- Mpox in Kenya: Kenya’s ongoing mpox outbreak, first declared on 31 July 2024, remains a significant public health event, with 48 confirmed cases and one death as of 21 February 2025. The outbreak has been reported from 12 counties, notable spread along the A104 trade corridor, mainly affecting truck drivers and sex workers. With mpox outbreaks already reported in several countries in the East African subregion, the presence of the more severe clade 1b strain heightens the risk, especially considering the outbreak’s potential for further regional spread across East Africa. Although Kenya has activated an Incident Management System (IMS), conducted extensive screening, and mobilized resources, further efforts are needed to strengthen cross-border coordination, target high-risk groups, and explore vaccination strategies for comprehensive containment.
- Complex Emergency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: The Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently facing a complex public health crisis, with multiple outbreaks and an escalating humanitarian emergency. The acute febrile syndrome outbreak in the northwestern Équateur Province has resulted in nearly a thousand cases and with several deaths, and no definitive cause have been identified so far, despite ruling out Ebola and Marburg virus diseases. Malaria remains a likely contributor; however, detailed epidemiological and clinical investigations, as well as further laboratory testing, are needed to definitively identify the aetiological agent. The outbreak is ongoing in remote areas with impassable roads and a fragile healthcare system, which is challenging response efforts. In parallel, ongoing armed conflict in the eastern region of the country, particularly in North and South Kivu, has caused widespread displacement, severely damaging healthcare infrastructure and limiting access to essential services. The region is also grappling with outbreaks of cholera, mpox, and measles, while food insecurity and limited humanitarian access exacerbate the suffering. With millions of people displaced (both internally and in neighbouring countries) and the threat of cross-border disease transmission, immediate action is needed to restore health services, strengthen surveillance, and ensure a coordinated response to contain these concurrent public health threats and provide life-saving services urgently needed by the affected population.