Mpox cases continue to rise in the country, with cumulative infections now at 118.
According to the Public Health Institute of Malawi (Phim) spot report of September 28, 2025, a new case was confirmed on September 26.
The patient is a 33-year-old woman from Ntcheu District, who reported to Ntcheu District Hospital on September 24.
Phim said the patient had no recent travel history outside Malawi but presented with symptoms including fever, headache and skin rash.
The institute is responsible for public health surveillance, disease prevention, early warning and outbreak containment using a multi-sectoral approach.
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It has deployed rapid response teams at both national and district levels.
Earlier this month, Malawi received 33,600 doses of the mpox vaccine from the United States government and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Officials described the move as a significant step in efforts to contain the outbreak.
However, questions remain about whether these measures are sufficient. Malawi Health Equity Network Executive Director George Jobe said the government needs to strengthen public awareness. “We should take lessons from the Covid pandemic, where community engagement was prioritised. We need more messaging across media platforms, as many people are going about life as usual,” he said. Health rights advocate Maziko Matemba also urged the government to ensure its surveillance system is fully operational. The first mpox case in Malawi was reported on April 17, 2025, and the disease has now spread to 11 districts. Mpox is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted from animals to humans and between humans. It is characterised by fever and rash and spreads through contact with respiratory droplets, lesion material and body fluids.
