Mpox outbreak in Malawi
The Malawi Ministry of Health has reported the country’s first mpox outbreak. The first case presented at Bwaira Hospital on March 20. Since then, three additional cases and no deaths have been reported.
We can easily prevent ourselves from getting mpox, the Presidential Task Force on Public Health Emergencies advises.
The Presidential Taskforce on Public Health Emergencies, through its Co-Chair, the Minister of Health, Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, MP, has urged the public in Malawi to practice personal hygiene, including handwashing with soap, to prevent themselves from getting Mpox.
She was speaking during a media briefing at the Ministry of Health HQ in Lilongwe, where she was updating the nation on the current status of the outbreak. Hon. Chiponda said her ministry had identified and tested 90 suspects from various districts across the country, out of which 4 tested positive.
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She added that out of the four cases, two are admitted and in isolation at Kamuzu Central Hospital, while the other two are receiving outpatient treatment while in self-isolation. There have been no recorded deaths thus far.
Hon. Chiponda also reaffirmed the government's commitment to tackling Mpox by putting in place measures to prevent and control the disease.
"We have enhanced surveillance and proper treatment of patients. We've also activated a national emergency operations centre, now operational 24/7. We are conducting contact tracing and laboratory investigations for all suspected cases." She said
Mpox is a viral disease which spreads through respiratory droplets, direct contact with skin lesions or bodily fluids, sexual contact, and indirect contact through contaminated surfaces and materials. Symptoms include fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Currently, there is no cure.
In Africa in 2025 to date, a total of 42,719, of which 9,979 were laboratory confirmed, and 373 deaths, with 112 deaths among confirmed cases, have been reported from 17 African countries.