LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Africa has surpassed 61,000 confirmed mpox cases since the beginning of 2024, with nearly 300 reported deaths, underscoring the urgency behind a continent-wide push to develop effective treatments for the viral disease.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control Prevention (Africa CDC), 61,383 cases and 296 fatalities have been recorded across 32 countries.
The update was released in Abuja following a newly announced collaboration between Emergent BioSolutions and the Pandemic Preparedness Platform for Health Emerging Infections Response, a partnership aimed at strengthening Africa-led clinical research.
At the center of this effort is the Mpox Study in Africa (MOSA), a large-scale clinical trial launched in 2024 to evaluate potential treatment options for mpox patients. The study uses a double-blind, platform-adaptive design and is being conducted across several African countries with support from Africa CDC.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, described the initiative as a milestone in the continent’s public health response.
“This study represents a critical step in generating evidence to inform mpox treatment and strengthen Africa’s capacity to respond to emerging health threats,” Kaseya said.
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He noted that Africa CDC would continue working with regional and global partners to advance research, boost preparedness and improve rapid outbreak response mechanisms.
Momentum for the trial received a further boost after an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board completed its first safety review in December 2025. After assessing data from the initial 50 participants, the board found no safety concerns and approved the continuation of the study.
Emergent BioSolutions, which is providing additional financial backing for MOSA, said the partnership reflects its commitment to addressing global health threats.
“We applaud Africa CDC, the Democratic Republic of the Congo investigators and PANTHER for their efforts in reaching this important milestone and remain committed to collaborating with research partners,” said the company’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research Development Dr Simon Lowry.
The trial initially focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the countries hardest hit by recurrent mpox outbreaks. Plans are underway to expand enrolment to other nations, including Uganda, as transmission continues in multiple regions.
Africa CDC reported that outbreaks on the continent involve both major mpox clades. Clade I, linked to more severe illness, remains endemic in Central Africa, while Clade II is more common in West Africa. Recent cases have also been associated with subclades Ia, Ib, IIa and IIb.
Health experts say the MOSA trial is particularly critical because no dedicated antiviral therapy for mpox currently exists.
