Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 23rd July 2025, 12:46 PM
The Gambia has officially declared an outbreak of mpox following the identification of a single confirmed case, as several neighbouring West African nations report rising infection rates.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, the case was identified through the country’s routine disease surveillance system and was confirmed last Friday.
“The detection of a single case in a country where mpox is not presently in circulation constitutes an outbreak, requiring immediate response,”
– The Gambia Ministry of Health
The ministry further stated it has launched a swift public health response, including active case detection, contact tracing, and community engagement to mitigate further spread.
What is Mpox?
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral zoonotic disease caused by a virus belonging to the same family as smallpox. Though often transmitted from infected animals to humans, human-to-human transmission can occur through close physical contact, particularly involving skin lesions, bodily fluids, or respiratory droplets.
Common Symptoms:
Mpox was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The virus has two known genetic variants:
| Clade | Description |
| Clade 1 | Historically found in Central Africa, often associated with more severe illness and higher mortality |
| Clade 2 | Typically less severe, more prevalent in recent global outbreaks |
The Gambian health authorities have begun genomic sequencing to determine which subtype is responsible for the confirmed case.
Regional Situation in West Africa
The outbreak in The Gambia is occurring against a broader regional backdrop of increasing mpox cases across West and Central Africa. According to recent data, several nearby nations have reported significant case numbers in 2024:
| Country | Period Covered | Reported Cases | Deaths |
| Sierra Leone | Jan – late May 2024 | 3,350 | 16 |
| Liberia | Early June 2024 | 71 (active) | Not specified |
| Guinea | Sept 2023 – July 2024 | 200+ | Not specified |
| DR Congo, Uganda, Burundi | 2024 (YTD) | Thousands | Not specified |
WHO’s Ongoing Concern
The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to classify mpox as an international health emergency, particularly as the virus maintains an active presence across West Africa.
In a statement last month, WHO’s director reaffirmed the global health body’s concern, especially with the persistent rise in infections in the region.
The Gambia’s response efforts remain ongoing, with public health officials urging the population to remain vigilant and cooperate with health authorities to prevent further transmission.
Comments