MPOX – Malawi Situation.
by
Moses Nyambalo Phiri in collaboration with Grace Funsani, Noel Khunga, Chriswell Nkoloma and Settie Kanyanda.
The Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) today announced a new confirmed case of Mpox, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 47 since the first recorded infection on April 17, 2025.
The latest patient is a 26-year-old male from Lilongwe district. He reported to Bwaila Hospital on June 27, 2025, exhibiting symptoms including fever, headache, muscle ache, abdominal pain, and a skin rash. Samples collected on the same day confirmed Mpox infection on June 30, 2025. The patient has no underlying conditions and no history of recent travel outside Malawi.
District Rapid Response Teams (DRRT) have swiftly initiated contact tracing and investigation following the confirmation. Samples (swabs from blisters) were collected and sent for laboratory testing as part of the immediate response.
“The first case was recorded in Lilongwe district on April 16, 2025. Later additional cases were registered. All the cases are males within the age range of 2 to 38 years: a 30-year-old from Phwetekere- Area 36, a 33-year-old from Kawale 2, 38 year-old from Chilinde, a 35 year-old from Area 36, Kandikole, an 18 year-old from Area 36, Tumbwe, Traditional Authority (TA) Tsabango, Lilongwe district, and a two year-old child from Michesi 1 village, TA Mponda, Mangochi district.Three cases from Lilongwe have recovered and have been discharged from clinical care, while the other three are still under clinical care . No death has been reported.”
Grace Fusani – Mpox Incident Manager, PHIM.
Vincent Kamforzi, Data Manager – “The affected districts are Lilongwe, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Salima, Likoma, and NkhataBay.”
What response activities have so far been undertaken ?
PHIM has activated its Incident Management System (IMS) for Mpox and is working with various sectors, including animal health, civic education, and disaster management, using One Health Approach
1. Surveillance.
Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to conduct contact tracing and investigate cases. Surveillance systems have been enhanced at the community level, health facilities, and points of entry (PoEs).
The district team are being trained on Mpox through a collaborative effort involving Amref Health Africa, the US CDC, and the World Bank, which have provided the necessary resources. Initial training, supported by Amref Health Africa, has been conducted in the Chitipa and Karonga districts. This district level training will be extended to all districts to ensure comprehensive staff preparedness covering critical areas such as Mpox Etiology and Virology, Transmission Pathways, Prevention and Control Measures, and Clinical Management etc.
2. Case Management.
Case management guidelines have been developed and distributed, and isolation facilities have been identified.
3. Labolatory.
Samples from suspected cases are being tested using PCR, and genomic sequencing of the Mpox virus is underway.
Essential medicines and PPEs have been distributed to districts and Messages about Mpox prevention are being disseminated in local languages through various channels, including posters, social media, leaflets, and audio recordings. PHIM is working to address these challenges and will continue to provide updates on the situation.