The Gambia has confirmed its first case of mpox, officially declaring an outbreak of the virus as infections continue to rise across West Africa.
The country’s Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday that the virus was detected on Friday during routine surveillance. Though only one case has been recorded so far, authorities say it meets the criteria for an outbreak in a country where the disease is not currently circulating.
“The detection of a single case in a country where mpox is not presently in circulation constitutes an outbreak, requiring immediate response,” the ministry said.
Health officials have launched contact tracing, intensified surveillance, and begun community engagement to contain any potential spread.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease from the same family as smallpox. It causes symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and painful skin lesions. While often mild, it can be deadly—especially in vulnerable populations. It spreads through close physical contact and can also be transmitted from infected animals to humans.
Sequencing is currently underway to determine whether the detected strain is clade 1 or clade 2, the two known subtypes of the virus.
The Gambia’s announcement comes amid a worrying increase in mpox cases across several West African nations. From January to late May, Sierra Leone reported 3,350 cases, including 16 deaths. Liberia recorded 71 active cases as of early June, while Guinea has logged over 200 cases since September 2024.
Other countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Burundi have also seen thousands of infections in 2025 alone.
Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that mpox remains a global health emergency due to its expanding presence, particularly in Africa.
