BANJUL – The Gambia has confirmed its first case of mpox, triggering an official outbreak declaration as West African nations continue to report an alarming rise in infections. The country’s Ministry of Health announced the detection of the virus through its routine surveillance system, emphasizing that even a single confirmed case constitutes an outbreak in a country where the virus is not currently circulating.
The announcement follows a warning from the World Health Organization (WHO) last month that mpox—formerly known as monkeypox—remains an international public health emergency, particularly due to increasing infections in West Africa.
“A case of mpox has been detected in the country through the routine surveillance system,” the Gambia’s Ministry of Health said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The infected individual was identified last Friday. According to health officials, contact tracing and community engagement efforts are underway, and further investigations are being conducted to determine the virus’s strain.
Mpox Classified as an Outbreak in Gambia
Under international health protocols, any mpox detection in a country without ongoing transmission is treated as an outbreak. The Gambia’s health ministry reaffirmed this by stating:
“The detection of a single case in a country where mpox is not presently in circulation constitutes an outbreak, requiring immediate response.”
Authorities have already activated emergency response mechanisms to monitor and contain the spread. Active case finding, testing, and public education campaigns are being rolled out in communities most likely to have been exposed.
The identification of the case through routine surveillance reflects the country’s commitment to disease monitoring and public health readiness. The Health Ministry has not yet released detailed information about the patient, such as age, gender, travel history, or the mode of transmission.
However, Gambia confirmed that viral sequencing is underway to determine whether the detected virus belongs to clade 1 or clade 2, the two known subtypes of mpox. This information will be vital in understanding the potential severity and spread of the virus.
The Gambia’s first case comes as multiple neighboring countries struggle to manage growing outbreaks. From January to late May, Sierra Leone reported over 3,350 confirmed mpox cases, including 16 fatalities.
Liberia, another West African nation, had 71 active cases as of early June, according to the country’s National Public Health Institute.
Meanwhile, Guinea confirmed that it has seen more than 200 mpox cases since the virus was first detected there in September 2023.
Beyond the immediate region, thousands of mpox infections have been recorded across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Burundi, according to WHO data. These outbreaks have raised concerns about the virus spreading across borders in a region where healthcare systems are often under strain.
Mpox is a viral disease caused by a virus from the same family as smallpox. It is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals. However, the virus can also spread between humans, primarily through close physical contact, contact with lesions, or contaminated materials like bedding or clothing.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and painful skin lesions that resemble boils. While most cases are mild, severe cases can occur, particularly among immunocompromised individuals and in regions with limited access to medical care.
There are two main strains of the mpox virus: Clade 1, which is considered more severe and has a higher mortality rate, and Clade 2, which is less deadly but still causes significant illness.
The World Health Organization continues to classify mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, especially in light of its resurgence in parts of Africa and its occasional spread to other continents.
WHO officials urge countries to enhance their surveillance, reporting, and containment capabilities. The organization has also emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation, particularly in West Africa, to prevent further regional spread.
In its statement, the Gambia’s Ministry of Health encouraged citizens to remain calm but vigilant. The ministry is ramping up communication efforts to educate the public on how the virus spreads and how to reduce risk.
Health officials urge anyone experiencing symptoms or who may have been in contact with the infected individual to report immediately to health facilities for screening and care.
“We remain committed to protecting public health and will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available,” the ministry said.
As the Gambia joins a growing list of countries confronting mpox, its swift response highlights the importance of preparedness, transparency, and regional cooperation in containing outbreaks before they spiral into larger health crises.
Source- EWN
