Gambian health authorities have confirmed the country’s first case of monkeypox (Mpox), identified on July 18 through its national routine surveillance system.
The Ministry of Health announced that the patient is in stable condition and responding to treatment, while efforts are underway to sequence the virus subtype.
In response, emergency measures including contact tracing, active case finding, and community outreach have been launched.
The detection comes nearly a year after the Africa CDC and WHO declared monkeypox a public health emergency amid rising cases across the continent.
Gambia had since enhanced its surveillance and screening efforts.
The public is advised to report symptoms such as rash, fever, or swollen lymph nodes, and to self-isolate while seeking medical care.
Monkeypox spreads through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects.
