Cape Verde Heightens Mpox Surveillance Amid Regional Outbreak
Cape Verde is ramping up its public health alerts in response to a growing mpox outbreak in neighboring Guinea-Bissau. The National Institute of Public Health (INSP) announced today that it is intensifying risk communication strategies, focusing on the frequent travel and “strong flow” of people between the archipelago and the African mainland.
Proactive Measures for Travelers
Hélio Rocha, a member of the INSP board of directors, told Lusa that the government is focusing its efforts on informing those traveling to and from affected regions. “Risk communication has been reinforced as provided for in our contingency plan,” Rocha stated. He emphasized that the guidance alerts travelers to the possibility of symptoms appearing only after they return home, noting that the virus has an incubation period of five to 21 days.
While the messaging is currently focused on mpox, Rocha clarified that these protocols are part of a broader, general approach to managing infectious disease risks across the islands.
Zero Cases Reported in Cape Verde
Despite the proximity of the outbreak, the INSP confirmed that there are currently no suspected or confirmed cases of mpox in Cape Verde. The country’s epidemiological profile remains stable, meaning the national contingency plan—established in 2024—has not yet been fully activated or revised.
“So far, an update to the plan is not justified,” Rocha said. “However, whenever such a need is identified, the plan will be promptly revised and adjusted.”
Ready to Respond
Cape Verde’s readiness is built on a seven-pillar contingency plan covering coordination, surveillance, case management, communication, vaccination, research, and logistics. The INSP’s virology laboratory is already equipped to perform molecular diagnosis of mpox via PCR testing, ensuring rapid detection should the virus reach the islands.
While vaccination is a core pillar of the plan, health authorities indicated it would only be deployed if the domestic situation necessitates such a move. This is not the first time the country has been on high alert; similar measures were taken in September 2025 following a reported case in Senegal.
The Situation in Guinea-Bissau
The heightened vigilance comes as Guinea-Bissau grapples with its first-ever mpox outbreak. According to UNICEF, the country has recorded seven confirmed cases and 46 suspected cases. The outbreak is disproportionately affecting children under the age of 15.
UNICEF has issued an urgent appeal for over $150,000 (€128,000) to support Guinea-Bissau’s emergency response. Mpox is a viral disease characterized by fever, muscle aches, and distinct skin lesions, and can be transmitted from animals to humans as well as through close human contact.
Image: Pexels – Israel Torres
