By Joke Kujenya
PUBLIC HEALTH threats across Africa are stretching resources and exposing persistent gaps in preparedness, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reported.
Yap Boum, Incident Manager for Health Emergencies at Africa CDC, issued the alert during the agency’s weekly virtual press briefing. He cited recent data indicating rising outbreaks of cholera, Mpox and Marburg virus across the continent.
Professor Boum highlighted the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda as a framework for improving preparedness, expanding local manufacturing and investing in digital and financing systems for long-term resilience.
He said: “Progress requires shared commitment, with Africa leading and partners aligning, to build a more secure and sovereign health future for the continent.”
He stressed that accelerating local drug production was essential to reducing dependency and strengthening the health ecosystem.
Similarly, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has declared the end of its 16th Ebola outbreak, centred in Kasai Province and first reported on September 4, Prof. Boum announced.
Africa CDC joined Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka in marking the milestone. He commended the DRC Government, the Ministry of Health and field teams for their coordinated response, stating: “This success is the result of exceptional determination and exemplary coordination.”
Data reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for epidemiological weeks one to 47 of 2025 shows a rising disease burden across Africa.
Prof. Boum reported 132,442 suspected cases of Mpox, with 40,218 confirmed and 953 deaths. Cholera recorded 301,561 suspected cases, 10,057 confirmed and 7,187 deaths.
Measles affected 140,217 people, with 11,674 confirmed cases resulting in 1,243 deaths. Dengue fever registered 52,155 suspected cases, 6,062 confirmed cases and 139 deaths.
Lassa fever saw 8,791 suspected cases, 1,023 confirmed and 192 deaths.
Prof. Boum confirmed that Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and Public Health Institute reported a Marburg virus outbreak in Jinka Town on November 14.
As of December 3, 13 cases had been confirmed with eight deaths. In week 49 alone, 530 samples were tested. Rapid response teams have been deployed, with contact tracing, active case search and surveillance at points of entry ongoing.
South Sudan has activated its Emergency Operations Centre, Prof. Boum also said.
He noted that Mpox continues to pose a major public health challenge, with Liberia, DRC, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Guinea accounting for 81 per cent of confirmed cases over the past six weeks.
He added that transmission is declining in many countries, with Sierra Leone reporting 36 days without a confirmed case.
Africa CDC continues to provide support in countries where transmission persists, including Kenya, Guinea, Liberia and Ghana.
Cholera remains a significant threat, with 311,618 cases and 7,187 deaths reported across 25 African countries in 2025. Sudan, DRC, South Sudan and Angola accounted for 85 percent of all cholera-related deaths, Prof. Boum stated.
He provided examples of ongoing outbreaks, including Namibia, with 13 cases and one death, and Burundi, where cases are concentrated in northwestern provinces due to poor access to safe water.
Angola reported infections across 152 municipalities, with more than 3.57 million people vaccinated with oral cholera vaccines.
DRC recorded 65,541 cases in conflict-hit eastern provinces, while Kenya’s cases decreased after intensive vaccination campaigns.
Deadly Marburg virus outbreak has also emerged in East Africa, a pathogen known for its extremely high fatality rate ranging from 25% to 80%.
On Mpox vaccination, Prof. Boum said 18 countries have regulatory approval for the MVA-BN vaccine, with two extending vaccinations to children under 12.
A total of 4.88 million doses has been delivered to 16 countries, and 1.91 million people have received at least one dose.
Mozambique recently began vaccination alongside health worker training in hotspot districts, while new shipments to Kenya and Liberia are expected in early December.
Prof. Boum emphasised the need for long-term investment in health preparedness, citing domestic health financing, laboratory and manufacturing capacity, early warning systems, and protection for frontline health workers.
He said: “Africa must lead its health security future. Sovereignty begins with preparedness.”
