The Angolan Ministry of Health has today declared that the country is experiencing an outbreak of mpox, with the record of two deaths from a cumulative total of 442 confirmed cases since 2024.
© Lusa
10/09/2026
by
Lusa
O secretary of State for Public Health, Carlos de Sousa, took stock of the epidemiological situation of the Monkeypox virus (mpox) in Angola and the main measures to prevent and combat the spread of the disease, the first case of which was confirmed in the country on November 16, 2024.
Statistical data indicate that Angola recorded cumulatively until 05 this month (September) 442 confirmed cases, four of which in 2024, six in 2025 and 432 in 2026.
The outbreak of mpox affects 11 of the 21 provinces of the country, according to the data presented.
According to Carlos de Sousa, the province of Cabinda led the case record, with 314 of the cumulative total, followed by the East Moxico with 91 cases.
“ In the other provinces, the number is significantly lower,” said the Angolan ruler, stressing that the two deaths were recorded in Cabinda and Uíje, corresponding to a global mortality rate of 0.45%.
Carlos de Sousa advanced that since the outbreak began, 1,131 contacts have been registered with the health authorities.
Currently, the country has 116 active cases, people who are hospitalized and under follow-up, and 186 contacts that are isolated and in follow-up.
Of the 116 active cases, 92 are in Cabina, seven in Moxico, six in Moxico East, four in Luanda, four in Lunda South, two in Bengo and one in Cuando.
In response to the outbreak, Carlos de Sousa added, Angola mobilised 50,000 doses of mpox vaccine this year, which are being “used strategically and as a priority” due to its worldwide limited availability.
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, which can manifest through fever, headaches, muscle and joints, increased lymph nodes and skin or mucosal lesions, which may appear in the form of spots, blisters and wounds.
The period between contact with the virus and the onset of the first signs and symptoms may vary from five to 21 days, and usually people recover completely in two to four weeks.
Close contact with an infected person is the main route of transmission, especially through skin injuries or injuries, secretions or other contaminated materials, sharing clothes, towels, sheets and other personal objects, as well as from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or near contact after birth.
“ Risk and transmission increases when there is direct and prolonged contact, including sexual contact with a person with symptoms or injuries. The mpox is not transmitted by respiratory means ", said the Secretary of State for Public Health.
To reduce the disease, it is important to comply with hygiene measures, such as frequent hand washing with soap water and disinfection with alcohol.
Angola has implemented the measures provided for in the Mpox Multisectoral National Plan for Response and Control of the Outbreak, aligned with the framework of prevention, preparation, response and resilience to the public health emergency of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Angolan ruler appealed to those who had contact with a case of mpox to seek the nearest health unit and report the situation.