Bold claim: Africa is pushing back on health crises with a powerful, long‑term plan to secure essential medicines and financing—even as fresh outbreaks and costly emergencies continue to bite. This week’s health update highlights a mix of urgent challenges and strategic progress that will shape the region’s health landscape for years to come. While mpox edges toward a declared end, Africa must still confront seasonal flu, and stubborn, severe outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria, and Rift Valley fever. At the same time, national and continental efforts are coalescing to strengthen health financing and ensure reliable access to essential medicines.
A regional, decade‑long strategy to boost access to essential medicines has been unveiled by African nations. The plan, unveiled in Johannesburg, targets reduced dependence on imports and external aid, with a current reality that only about 35% of essential medicines are available in public health facilities. The World Health Organization’s Africa office notes that the strategy emphasizes expanding local production, establishing pooled procurement, and building resilient, cross‑border supply chains. It aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area framework and the mandate of the African Medicines Agency.
Because household health spending in some countries can reach as high as 90% of total health costs, supporters of the plan advocate innovative financing solutions and greater mobilization of domestic resources to sustain access to care over the long term.
Africa CDC May Downgrade Mpox Emergency Status
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) indicated that the mpox public health emergency on the continent could be downgraded soon. Seven countries have reached what the agency defines as the “end of epidemic” phase. For example, Sierra Leone is preparing to shift into the control phase after more than 42 days without a confirmed mpox case.
Special Briefing on Mpox & other Health Emergencies || Dec. 11, 2025 https://t.co/0OiaymslQR
— Africa CDC (@AfricaCDC) December 11, 2025
The agency uses strict criteria, including the absence of sustained transmission and the ability of countries to rapidly detect new cases. Despite ongoing cross‑border movements, especially between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, authorities believe the risk remains manageable thanks to enhanced surveillance.
Africa CDC underscored the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and bilateral agreements for contact tracing and coordinated outbreak management.
Seasonal Flu Circulation Continues in Africa, WHO Says
Influenza activity is rising in the African Region, with detections increasing in October. In West Africa, the uptick began in September and the A(H3N2) subtype has predominated since October. In central and eastern regions, all seasonal subtypes continue to circulate.
In South Africa, influenza activity peaked in May 2025, driven mainly by A(H3N2), with a small recent resurgence at low levels. Globally, influenza activity has been rising since October 2025, including a notable A(H3N2) sublineage known as J.2.4.1 (subclade K), detected in more than 34 countries over six months. The WHO does not report a rise in severity at this time.
For African countries, the main challenges lie in surveillance and preparedness of health services, given that influenza often overlaps with other respiratory viruses.
The WHO emphasizes vaccination as a central tool, especially for healthcare workers, older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions. Early estimates suggest vaccination could reduce hospitalizations by about 70–75% for ages 2–17 and 30–40% for adults.
Liberia Maps Health Resources to Strengthen System Financing
Liberia’s Ministry of Health completed a nationwide health resource mapping exercise to better inform budget decisions for the 2026 fiscal year. The effort, conducted with support from the Global Fund and Last Mile Health, analyzed financial flows, infrastructure, equipment, and available human resources to identify funding gaps and improve planning in a country where foreign aid plays a central role. The consolidated data aims to attract new investments and boost transparency in health spending.
DRC Faces Worst Cholera Outbreak in 25 Years
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing its most severe cholera epidemic in a quarter of a century, affecting 17 of its 26 provinces, according to UNICEF. Since January, more than 64,000 cases have been reported and nearly 1,900 deaths, including 340 children. Limited access to clean water and sanitation, worsened by floods and ongoing conflict in the east, are fueling transmission.
With support from international partners, health authorities are working to strengthen medical care and community prevention, though needs remain enormous. The outbreak underscores the urgent and persistent necessity of investing in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure to prevent future crises.
Rift Valley Fever Spreads Across Most of Mauritania
Mauritania is contending with widespread Rift Valley fever, with 286 human cases in 2025 (53 confirmed) and 15 deaths; the disease has reached 14 of the country’s 15 regions, with around 200 cases reported in animals as well. Transmitted by mosquitoes or contact with infected livestock, the outbreak threatens both human health and the pastoral economy.
A One Health approach—integrating veterinary, human health, and environmental services—is guiding the response, supported by WHO and national authorities.
Mobile teams, refurbished isolation units, and community information campaigns are being deployed to curb transmission while limiting livestock‑related economic losses.
Persistent Diphtheria Outbreak Hits Children in Somalia
Somalia is facing a renewed diphtheria outbreak, with more than 1,000 children infected and at least 50 deaths recently reported. Since January, over 3,200 cases have been documented, with roughly 40% among children under five. Officials describe this as a continuation of the 2023 epidemic, with transmission still active in several districts. A targeted vaccination campaign is planned for Banadir in mid‑December to curb further spread. The Ministry of Health is urging families to vaccinate their children, noting that low vaccination coverage is fueling the resurgence in a country with fragile health systems.
