June 13, 2025
By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The Amhara Public Health Institute (APHI) has confirmed two cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in the region, as Ethiopia continues to monitor a growing number of infections nationwide.
The confirmed cases were detected in Metema town, located in West Gondar Zone, and in the regional capital, Bahir Dar, according to APHI officials. Both patients have since made a full recovery, authorities said.
Laboratory confirmation was provided by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), following sample testing from suspected cases in the region. Direct contacts of the two confirmed individuals were identified, tested, and placed under monitoring protocols.
Belay Bezabih, Director General of the APHI, emphasized that the regional health system is implementing “diligent and organized efforts” to contain the spread of the virus. In a public statement, he called on residents to follow prevention guidelines and remain informed through verified sources.
“The community should protect themselves and their families from the mpox outbreak by using only information released by relevant health institutions,” Belay said.
According to health officials, mpox primarily spreads through direct contact with an infected individual, including skin-to-skin contact, sexual activity, and even breastfeeding. Indirect transmission is also possible through the sharing of personal items such as clothing, eating utensils, and bedding used by an infected person.
Symptoms of mpox typically appear between 5 and 21 days after exposure and often include fever, headache, back and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and a rash that may appear one to three days after the onset of fever.
Belay urged the public to “avoid sharing personal items, minimize contact with suspected cases, and immediately visit a health facility if symptoms appear.”
Nationwide, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH) reported that the country’s first confirmed mpox case was identified on June 3, 2025, in Moyale town, Oromia Region. Since then, 102 samples have been tested, with 18 confirmed infections and one death — a one-month-old infant.
Globally, mpox remains a public health concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 91,000 confirmed cases have been reported across 117 countries since early 2022. While the majority of cases have been recorded in non-endemic countries, African nations continue to experience outbreaks, often with limited access to vaccines and treatment options.
The Ethiopian government has ramped up efforts to raise public awareness and improve surveillance, with both regional and federal health institutions coordinating response measures.