Foreign aid cuts could result in a major outbreak of mpox across the African continent and beyond, with virus control measures already disrupted, public health experts warn.
Mpox testing and monitoring efforts in hotspot areas like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were heavily reliant on foreign assistance, which has been slashed under US President Donald Trump.
Health experts say strong national testing policies, focused on high-risk populations, are now urgently needed to ensure new mpox cases are detected quickly and to prevent the disease spreading across borders.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), mpox testing in the DRC has faltered, despite the thousands of suspected cases in the country. It says less than a quarter of suspected cases are being tested for the disease.