Mozambique will receive a batch of vaccines against mpox in September, amid rising concerns over the spread of the disease, which has already recorded 29 confirmed cases in two provinces in less than a month, the government announced today.
Speaking to the press following the weekly session of the Council of Ministers in Maputo, government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa stated:
“The Ministry of Health will begin receiving a specific type of vaccine from next month to ensure we have a stockpile available for preventive and advisory purposes, to be used in the most appropriate cases.”
So far, health authorities have confirmed 28 cases in Niassa province — the epicentre of the outbreak in northern Mozambique — and one case in the southern province of Maputo. In addition, 170 suspected cases are under observation, according to the latest update issued on Sunday.
Impissa noted that the government is currently assessing what type of medication would be most suitable to procure in the event of a nationwide health emergency, should cases increase. He stressed, however, that current containment measures are proving effective, with authorities urging isolation of all positive cases.
Last week, Mozambique announced enhanced border surveillance, including screening and testing teams, to prevent cross-border transmission of mpox.
National Director of Public Health, Quinhas Fernandes, also highlighted the importance of community-level screening as a key strategy to curb the spread of the disease.
Health authorities have assured the public that Mozambique is equipped to handle the outbreak, with the capacity to carry out 4,000 mpox tests locally. Over 150 tests have already been conducted in response to the current outbreak.
