Uganda records highest number of mpox cases in African region — WHO report

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In the six weeks between January 20, 2025, and March 2, 2025, Uganda reported the highest number of confirmed mpox cases, contributing to over 40% of all confirmed mpox cases reported on the continent, the World Health Organization (WHO) multi-country external situation report of March 10, 2025, has reported.

The same report reveals during the same reporting period, the African region reported a total of 2,274 confirmed mpox cases, and 16 deaths.

Breaking it down in the same reporting period, Uganda recorded the highest number of confirmed mpox cases at 1,157 and 10 deaths.

The new development is corroborated by data, the national mpox situation reports reveal that the disease continued to spread across the country covering up to 95 districts in the same period. 

Districts that were most hit and recorded the highest number of mpox cases included: Kampala, Luwero, Mbarara city, Mukono, Nakasongola and Wakiso. Meanwhile around the same time, Kampala, Wakiso, Mubende recorded a high number of patients succumbing to Mpox.

Cases in other countries

This was followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo with 1,080 confirmed mpox cases and 4 deaths in the same period. 

The same WHO report discovered that the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to experience a high burden of mpox, with circulation of both clade I MPXV subclades. Many provinces report steady case counts from week to week and the situation in the country remains concerning with many areas seeing sustained transmission. The violence in the eastern part of the country poses challenges for the mpox response.

Meanwhile, Burundi recorded a total of 350 confirmed mpox cases, and no patient succumbed to the disease.

Mpox (monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick, and succumb to the disease.

Ministry of Health speaks out

The deputy incident commander mpox at the Health Ministry, Dr Bernard Lubwama, attributed the high mpox numbers to Uganda consistently reporting mpox confirmed cases as opposed to other countries that only report suspected cases. 

Yet, the World Health Organization does not report suspected cases.

“That report only highlights reported cases but it does not mean that the biggest burden is in Uganda,” Dr Lubwama noted.

Uganda’s current mpox situation

The National Mpox Situation Report of March 14, 2025, reveals that Uganda had registered 31 deaths from the 4,342 cumulative number of confirmed cases and a total of 2,247 patients have recovered and have been discharged.

The same report reveals that Kampala has recorded 15 deaths, the highest number so far, followed by Wakiso district (5), Masaka district (3) and Mukono (2). Mbarara, Masindi, Pallisa, Kikuube, Kalungu and Nakasongola districts.

The 18 to 39 -year age-bracket is registering a high number of deaths, with females most affected.

Notably, a total of 25 mpox confirmed cases were recorded in the last 24 hours (leading to March 14). Meanwhile the total of confirmed mpox patients hit 601 in the last 14 days.

Globally the number of reported confirmed mpox cases has been rising. For instance, from January 1, 2022, to January 13, 2025, a total of 129,172 confirmed mpox cases and 283 deaths have been reported in 130 countries.

Background

On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern. This was the second time in two years that reclassified mpox to this highest level of response.

The global alert was preceded by a declaration by the African CDC on August 13, 2024, recognizing mpox as a public health emergency of continental security. These declarations underline the seriousness of the situation and the need for concerted efforts to curb the spread of the disease.