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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 South Africa
- Sudan Virus Disease in Uganda
- Complex Humanitarian Crisis in Ethiopia
Go here for latest update on Cluster of Illness and deaths in the 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 South Africa: South Africa has reported a new cluster of three mpox cases in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng Province, marking the first documented cases of clade 1b MPXV in the country. The index case had recent travel history outside South Africa from 11 to 18 January 2025, to an area where an ongoing clade 1b MPXV outbreak is ongoing, which is likely the source of exposure. The introduction of clade 1b MPXV presents a significant public health threat due to its association with more severe disease and higher fatality rates. The high HIV prevalence in South Africa heightens concerns, as immunocompromised individuals are more vulnerable to severe mpox outcomes, prolonged viral shedding, and increased mortality. While initial response efforts appear strong, with secondary cases limited to close contacts of the index case, delays and misdiagnosis indicate gaps in clinical awareness and early detection. To prevent further spread, South Africa must strengthen surveillance and comprehensive contact tracing to ensure no transmission chains remains undetected.
Complex Humanitarian Crisis in Ethiopia: Ethiopia is facing a complex humanitarian crisis, with 21 million people in need of humanitarian assistance due to ongoing conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and widespread food insecurity. Alarming levels of malnutrition, particularly in Afar and Tigray, and several concurrent disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, and measles, further strains the health system. With 4.4 million people displaced and continued underfunding of humanitarian efforts, urgent donor support is critical to address food insecurity, health needs, and the protection of vulnerable populations. Immediate action is required to bolster disease surveillance, provide food aid, and ensure access to essential health services.