# Mpox Outbreak in the East Africa Region: Current Status, Containment Measures, Challenges, and Future Direction

## TL;DR

The Mpox outbreak in East Africa, led by the DRC, highlights transmission challenges and the need for regional cooperation to strengthen outbreak preparedness and resource access.

## Contribution

This study provides a comprehensive review of Mpox outbreak status, containment measures, and challenges in East Africa, emphasizing the need for a coordinated regional strategy.

## Key findings

- The DRC had the highest Mpox cases and deaths in the EAC region as of July 2025.
- Over 73% of MVA-BN vaccine doses were administered in the DRC.
- Healthcare infrastructure limitations and misinformation hindered outbreak control.

## Abstract

In 2024, the World Health Organization declared Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The epicenter of this outbreak was the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is a member of the East African Community (EAC). The majority of EAC countries reported Mpox cases and associated deaths. Mpox outbreak negatively affected EAC member states but triggered the strengthening of diagnostic and surveillance capacity. This review assessed the status, containment measures, challenges, and future directions of Mpox in the EAC. As of July 27, 2025, the DRC was the top country in the world with Mpox with 28,165 cases and 69 deaths, followed by Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Sudan with 7648 cases and 48 deaths, 4231 cases and one death, 281 cases and five deaths, 124 cases, 111 cases, and 17 cases, respectively. Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Sudan have not recorded any death associated with Mpox. The DRC, Uganda, and Burundi experienced extensive transmission rates, whereas Kenya and Uganda had higher case fatality rates of 1.78 and 0.63, respectively. Containment measures in EAC countries included enhanced surveillance, public awareness campaigns, training on infection prevention and control, and vaccination. Of the 801,000 Modified Vaccinia Ankara‐Bavarian Nordic (MVA‐BN) vaccine doses administered, over 73% were administered in the DRC. Challenges, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure and misinformation, affected Mpox control measures. This study underlines the need for a joint regional strategy to strengthen outbreak preparedness and ensure equitable access to resources to build resilience against emerging infectious diseases.

The WHO declares the Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with the DRC as the epicenter in the EAC.DRC, Uganda, and Burundi experience extensive transmission; Kenya and Uganda show higher case fatality rates.Containment measures include surveillance, public awareness, infection prevention training, and vaccination (>73% of 801,000 doses in DRC).Limited healthcare infrastructure and misinformation hinder control, highlighting the need for a coordinated regional strategy and equitable resource access.

The WHO declares the Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with the DRC as the epicenter in the EAC.

DRC, Uganda, and Burundi experience extensive transmission; Kenya and Uganda show higher case fatality rates.

Containment measures include surveillance, public awareness, infection prevention training, and vaccination (>73% of 801,000 doses in DRC).

Limited healthcare infrastructure and misinformation hinder control, highlighting the need for a coordinated regional strategy and equitable resource access.