The Gambia has confirmed its first case of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), marking a significant development in the country’s public health surveillance as regional concerns over the disease continue to grow.

The Ministry of Health announced that the case was identified on 18 July through routine monitoring systems.

 Although only one case has been confirmed, authorities have classified it as an outbreak, given that Mpox is not currently circulating in the country.

The patient is said to be in stable condition, responding well to treatment, and under close observation. Officials stress there is no cause for public alarm.

“This single case is a reminder that no country is immune,” Dr Mustapha Bittaye, Director of Health Services said.

“We have activated all necessary protocols to contain the situation swiftly and effectively. Our teams are trained, equipped, and already in the field.”

The development follows a declaration by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which in August 2024 labelled Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security and a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, due to a sharp rise in infections across several African nations.

Since then, Gambian health authorities have strengthened disease surveillance, expanded testing capacity, and trained frontline health workers in preparation for potential cases.

Health teams are now conducting active case searches, contact tracing, and community sensitisation efforts to limit the risk of wider transmission. A virus sequencing process is also underway to determine the strain involved.

Mpox is a viral disease that spreads through close physical contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin contact, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated surfaces or objects. It can also be transmitted from animals to humans.

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a distinctive rash that typically appears on the face, hands, feet, and genital areas.

The Ministry of Health has urged the public to stay informed and follow guidance from health professionals.

By Adama Makasuba