Central African Republic (CAR) - Mpox (monkeypox) outbreak 2024-2025

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Central African Republic: Health Ministry Declares Monkeypox Epidemic in Bangui

July 29, 2024

(Audio)

The Ministry of Health declared on July 28 in Bangui, the epidemic of Monkeypox, a disease also called monkeypox in the Central African capital. The department specified that cases have been detected in certain districts of Bangui, notably in the 6th arrondissement . However, it indicates that measures are already in place to contain the epidemic which is concentrated in this part of the capital. Doctor Pierre Somsé, Minister of Health, is at the microphone of Maxime-Joël Lalaye.

https://www.radiondekeluka.org/7172...sante-declare-lepidemie-de-monkeypox-a-bangui

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Ministry of Health and Population - CAR
9h

Monkeypox outbreak in Bangui!!!
The Ministry of Health and Population warns!!!

Following the declaration on July 26 of an epidemic called monkeypox in the Bangui 2 Health District, Health Region No. 7, the head of the Department of Health and Population, Dr. Pierre SOMSE, held a press conference on July 28 in the conference room of the said ministry in Bangui.

After the presentation of slides illustrating this disease by Professor Emmanuel NAKOUNÉ, Researcher at the Pasteur Institute in Bangui, the minister then answered questions from journalists.
It should be noted that since the outbreak of this disease, the Ministry of Health and Population has been carrying out daily updates to monitor the development of this epidemic.

The aim of this meeting with the press is to take stock of the number of cases that have already been diagnosed, the localities affected and the measures taken, and also to present to these media professionals the main scientific, clinical and epidemiological facts that characterize this epidemic.

Monkeypox is a disease that manifests itself like smallpox with eruptions on the body that contain a substance that is loaded with viruses. This substance will turn into a scab upon healing and then fall off.

This illness can last up to 14 days, and can also lead to death in 10 to 11% of cases, and can also give rise to debilitating complications.

This extremely contagious virus passes from animals to humans, recently human-to-human transmission through sexual intercourse.

Note that this is an epidemic that has an international dimension.

The first known resistances that are currently in isolation are on the way to recovery.

Government member Pierre SOMSE urges families not to hesitate to go to the hospital as soon as the first signs appear, hospitalization and care are completely free.

Linda Bonna Ekedi
Service Communication MSP.

https://www.facebook.com/RCAMSP/posts/pfbid02J8Z9hehMvvQMz89YFAwYv7JQ17YDLVpbwF7XG4wceQW AiWzhMKXRZUgkNoqnLazRl

https://www.facebook.com/RCAMSP

 

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Central African Republic: Monkeypox Gains Ground in the Capital and Worries Authorities

In the Central African Republic, monkeypox, a contagious disease, is causing psychosis among the population. The Ministry of Health has called on Central Africans to respect hygiene rules while putting in place measures to block the path of this very viral virus. Because nine cases have been detected in the capital Bangui in one week but no deaths have been reported.

Published on :07/31/2024 - 1:45 p.m.
By : RFI
With our correspondent in Bangui, Rolf-Steve Domia-leu

According to information confirmed by the Ministry of Health and the Pasteur Institute in Bangui, nine cases have been recorded in the capital in one week.

Landry, a resident of the 6th arrondissement, one of the hotbeds of this disease, is on his guard: " It's scary because people are isolated in the hospital. I learned that this disease is very contagious and that we must avoid contact with dead animals. I limit my movements, because it is also transmitted between humans ," he says.

While the symptoms are unknown to a significant number of Central Africans, the health department is increasing awareness campaigns to block the spread of this disease. " Monkeypox is a disease that manifests itself like smallpox, with rashes on the body and pus loaded with viruses, with fever. Secondly, there is also an infection of the lymph nodes. This results in an increase in their volume. This disease can last 14 days and can lead to death in 10 % to 11 % of those affected. It is therefore very serious ," explains Dr. Pierre Somsé, Minister of Health.

Between January and July 2024, 166 suspected cases were reported throughout the Central African territory. According to the Pasteur Institute in Bangui, 35 cases are confirmed for zero deaths.

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20240...in-dans-la-capitale-et-inquiète-les-autorités

 

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Central African Republic: Monkeypox epidemic in Bangui does not come from smoked meats

August 4, 2024

Audio (in French)​

The Ministry of Health and Population does not prohibit the consumption of smoked meats in the Central African Republic and more particularly in Bangui. A statement to put an end to rumors that the monkeypox epidemic currently raging in the Central African capital came from smoked meats sold in the markets.

https://www.radioguira.org/actualites/4285
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Central African Republic: fourteen cases of MPOX confirmed between July 29 and August 4 (Ministry of Health)

French.news.cn | 2024-08-12 at 23:41

BANGUI, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Central African Republic recorded 65 new suspected cases of mpox (long known as monkeypox), including 14 confirmed cases, during the week of July 29 to Aug. 4, according to a report released by the Central African Ministry of Health on Monday.

The cumulative number of suspected cases stands at 207, including 40 confirmed cases with a positivity rate of 19.32%, and zero deaths, according to the same source.

As a reminder, the Ministry of Health declared on July 23 the mpox epidemic in the 7th district of the capital and certain regions of the country and activated the public health emergency operations center to provide a response. End

http://french.xinhuanet.com/20240812/8df408faec774e93b6d53db10f030ce9/c.html

 

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53 new cases of monkeypox recorded in Central African Republic

News
Wednesday September 18, 2024
Medi1news+MAP

Fifty-three cases of monkeypox (MPOX), including one death, have been recorded in the Central African Republic since last July, the Ministry of Health said.

"We have dealt with 310 suspected cases and 53 confirmed cases, including one death," said Valentin Nebanga, head of the health promotion department of the Ministry of Health and Population (MSP), quoted by the media.

At the end of July, 9 cases confirmed by the Pasteur Institute in Bangui had put the Ministry of Health on alert.

"The epidemic is currently under control in Bangui but is still active," said Mr. Nebanga, assuring that he will continue "to raise awareness among the population, provide free care to infected people and follow up on the contacts of these people."

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https://www.medi1news.com/fr/article/328887.html

 

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Central African Republic: Containing the spread of MPOX thanks to rapid intervention teams

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October 11, 2024

Bangui – The first case of MPOX in the Central African Republic for the ongoing epidemic has been identified in Bimbo, about twenty kilometers from Bangui. Although MPOX is endemic in the CAR, this is the first time that Bangui has recorded an urban MPOX epidemic.

As soon as it was declared on 20 July, a detachment of the SURGE team was quickly deployed to Bimbo on 23 July to implement the response strategy. With the deployment of this team, the emphasis is on surveillance, active case and contact tracing, and laboratory screening and detection.

"We were deployed to intervene in the field of surveillance, specifically in the investigation of confirmed cases. But we also strengthened the capacities of community relays intervening in the affected communities in awareness-raising and risk communication techniques," explains Dr. Aubin Ngbeadego-Soukoudoupou, field epidemiologist and head of the surveillance unit within the CAR SURGE team.

The SURGE team is made up of frontline responders who have been trained with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) with the aim of being deployed on the ground 48 to 72 hours after the declaration of an epidemic. The objective of this rapid response team is to implement operational strategies to contain a public health emergency as soon as possible.

As part of the response to the MPOX outbreak, WHO has provided collection and management kits as well as infection prevention and control (IPC) equipment. The Organization supports the training of health workers, particularly on management, especially of skin lesions.

One of the major challenges is the mobilization of resources to support other districts affected by the epidemic. Access to some districts due to insecurity and access routes also remains difficult. “To ensure continuity and free medical care, WHO has supplied the seven health districts with active epidemics with medical and logistical product kits for treatment,” notes Dr. Cathy Kakema Hebo, SURGE Focal Point at the WHO office in CAR. “With USAID funds, we are supporting the Ministry of Health in setting up the contact tracing mechanism and continuing the training of health workers in the health districts at risk.”

SURGE team members also helped strengthen community engagement efforts. “Our teams raised awareness among community stakeholders, including neighborhood leaders, but also community relays and even health personnel because at the beginning of the epidemic, not everyone had an exact understanding of the disease,” said Dr. Moyen Jean Methode, SURGE Team Coordinator. “All of this contributed to reporting cases and improved patient care.”

Lydie Malitovo, a community health worker in Guitangola in the Bimbo health district, benefited from one of these trainings. “I didn’t know the signs of mpox. We hadn’t been trained before on this disease. Often in our community, we focus on common diseases like malaria, diarrhea and also maternal health,” she explains.

In 21 days of deployment, the team was able to raise awareness among more than 40,000 people in the localities of Bangui 2 and Guitangola in the Bimbo health district. More than 200 community leaders were involved to adequately inform the communities affected by MPOX.

“Meeting SURGE members has allowed me to learn more about this disease. I conduct home visits to those who were isolated because of the disease and who have already been released. My first instinct now, when I discover someone who is showing signs of the disease, is to advise them to isolate themselves and I also explain to the parents not to touch them, then I alert the health services,” says Lydie, the community health worker.

With the involvement of community engagement officers in the Bimbo district neighborhoods, 46 suspected cases of MPOX were referred to health facilities and were sampled for laboratory diagnosis. Following screening tests, no cases were confirmed positive. In the Bimbo health district, the last confirmed case dates back to July 25. “Now, we have made efforts and we no longer discover new cases in our community,” concludes Lydie.

As of 1 October, the country has recorded 57 confirmed cases of MPOX, including one death. 25% of confirmed cases are under 4 years of age and 75% are under 25 years of age. WHO provides logistical support and coordinates other partners for a concerted response to MPOX. It supported the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHOC) in developing the response plan, updating surveillance guidelines and revising epidemiological investigation tools.​

https://www.afro.who.int/fr/countri...a-mpox-grace-aux-equipes-dintervention-rapide

 

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(Multimedia) Mpox: Vaccination operations will begin this Saturday in the Central African Republic

French.news.cn | 2025-01-16 at 08:00
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BANGUI, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Vaccination operations against Mpox will begin Saturday in Mbaïki, capital of the Lobaye prefecture, a city considered the center of the epidemic in the Central African Republic (CAR), local press reported Wednesday, citing the Ministry of Health.

"More than 2,000 doses of vaccine will be distributed to 14 health centers in the locality. We will start by vaccinating those most exposed to the risk of contamination and spread of the disease, including healthcare workers in direct contact with patients," said Parfait Constant Seboulo, director of primary health care.

"After the launch of the campaign, we will carry out routine vaccination. We will identify and prioritize people who are highly exposed to this pandemic," added Mr. Seboulo.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), as of October 1, the country has recorded 57 confirmed cases of Mpox, including one death. Of these cases, 25% are children under 4 years old, and 75% are people under 25 years old. ■

https://french.news.cn/20250116/dc5d7572bc324d7fabcc6ceb94095847/c.html

 

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https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/380773/OEW10-0309032025.pdf

 

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https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/381235/OEW16-1420042025.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

 

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Health alert in Bayanga: two cases of monkeypox confirmed

September 25, 2025

(audio)

Bayanga Secondary Hospital reported a monkeypox outbreak detected last week in the locality. According to Julien Honorat Semndoutou, the hospital's chief physician, of the four suspected cases, two were positively identified by the Pasteur Institute in Bangui. Medical staff are urging the public not to touch pets, which may be potential carriers of the disease. Correspondence from Didier Deck Yétendji in Bayanga.

https://www.radiondekeluka.org/9112...yanga-deux-cas-de-variole-du-singe-confirmes​

 

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Mpox in the Central African Republic: what the virus's DNA reveals about the forest

Pasteur Institute of Bangui
OUR MAIN MISSIONS: • Biomedical research • Medical and scientific training • Public health
Published Jun 6, 2026

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is not a new disease in Central Africa. But a recent genomic study conducted in the Central African Republic sheds valuable light on the subject: the viruses analyzed between 2019 and 2024 all belong to clade Ia, historically associated with the Congo Basin, but they are much more diverse than previously thought. This diversity suggests less a single large human epidemic than a succession of small outbreaks, probably linked to repeated transmission of the virus from wildlife to humans.

Mycox is caused by an orthopoxvirus, MPXV. It often manifests as fever, significant fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and especially numerous skin lesions. In many cases, the infection resolves spontaneously, but it can be serious in children, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, or when access to healthcare is delayed.

The significance of this study lies in having read the virus's genome, that is, its biological "barcode." Researchers analyzed samples from PCR-confirmed cases in the Central African Republic. Of 49 confirmed cases between 2019 and 2024, 26 nearly complete genomes were obtained, primarily from Lobaye, Sangha-Mbaéré, Mbomou, Bangui, Ouaka, and Basse-Kotto. By adding these to the already available sequences, the authors have 113 high-quality Central African genomes.

The first result is reassuring on the surface: all the viruses belong to the same large group, clade Ia. But this unity masks a mosaic. The researchers distinguish seven Central African lineages, named CAR1 to CAR7, which can be associated with different regions.

This genetic map also tells a geographical story. With one exception, all Central African viruses cluster with viruses from the Democratic Republic of Congo: a sign of a true continuum of circulation between the two countries. The exception is the Sangha-Mbaéré viruses: these cluster with a distinct group, composed of viruses from Cameroon and Gabon, without any Congolese strains. This singularity suggests highly localized circulation in this region. The aim is not to prove a precise route of contamination, but to show that the virus's circulation likely follows forest corridors, human-animal contact, and cross-border movements.

Another clue reinforces this hypothesis: the genetic signatures linked to prolonged human transmission remain weak. When a virus passes from human to human for extended periods, certain defense enzymes, called APOBEC3, leave traces in its genome. Here, these traces are limited, suggesting instead repeated zoonotic introductions, followed by short chains of human transmission.

This does not mean that human-to-human transmission does not exist. It can occur within families, communities, healthcare settings, or through close contact. But the study suggests that we should not only look at those who are ill: we must also consider the interfaces between humans, animals, forests, food, and poverty.

Prevention efforts must therefore be nuanced. Simply saying “avoid bushmeat” would be ineffective and unfair in regions where it can be a vital food or economic resource. The effective message is more specific: avoid handling animals found dead or sick, protect your hands when preparing game, seek prompt medical attention for any suspicious injuries, isolate cases when possible, and strengthen community networks.

Genomics doesn't solve everything. It doesn't replace healthcare, field investigations, or trust with communities. But it does change the way we see the epidemic. In the Central African Republic, mox appears less as a single outbreak than as an old, fragmented, still partially hidden viral landscape, where human health is closely linked to ecology, food security, and local surveillance.

https://fr.linkedin.com/pulse/mpox-...-raconte-2hp4e?trk=article-ssr-frontend-pulse
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