Tuesday’s announcement by Gambian health authorities has marked the country’s first recognized case of mpox, a development highlighting the virus’s expanding footprint across West Africa. Detection occurred through routine monitoring systems, with the confirmed case identified last Friday.
The Ministry of Health stated that the presence of a single infected individual where the virus was previously absent qualifies as an outbreak necessitating urgent action. Measures are now underway to trace contacts, locate additional cases, and engage communities to stem transmission.
Mpox, related to smallpox, is a viral disease that was first identified in humans in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970. It causes fever, muscle aches, and skin lesions which can be severe. Transmission occurs via infected animals or close physical contact among humans. The illness carries the risk of death in some cases.
Officials are currently sequencing the virus to establish whether it corresponds to clade 1 or clade 2 of the mpox virus strains.
In the broader region, health authorities report significant outbreaks: Sierra Leone recorded thousands of cases and fatalities early this year, Liberia continues monitoring dozens of active cases, and Guinea recently surpassed 200 cases since the last cluster was identified. Other African nations, including DR Congo, Uganda, and Burundi, have documented a steep rise in mpox infections throughout 2025.
As regional case counts increase, The Gambia’s response efforts signal urgency in preventing further transmission and ensuring community safety.