Monkeypox Cases Surge 160 Percent in Africa as More Countries Declare Outbreaks

The Africa CDC said that the 3.9 percent CFR on the African continent is much higher than in the rest of the world.

A doctor examines a woman infected with monkeypox in Zomea Kaka, in the Central African Republic, on Oct. 18, 2018. Charles Bouessel/AFP/Getty Images

African health officials announced that monkeypox cases have soared 160 percent so far this year, while warning that the risk of further spread is high given that antiviral treatments or vaccines are not readily available in most countries on the continent.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said in an outbreak report released on July 31 that monkeypox, also known as mpox, has been reported in 15 countries in Africa over the past two-and-a-half years.