Congo says its mpox outbreak is over after 2 years and more than 2,200 suspected deaths

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has declared its two-year mpox outbreak over, marking a major public-health milestone after a crisis linked to more than 2,200 suspected deaths.

AP reported Thursday that Congolese officials said the outbreak was over after lasting two years. Wire coverage also said authorities described the emergency as ending after more than 34,000 laboratory-confirmed cases and more than 2,200 deaths.

The declaration follows a long response effort in a country that has been at the center of the global mpox response. The World Health Organization continues to track the broader multi-country outbreak, but Congo’s announcement means the national emergency there is no longer active.

The end of the outbreak does not erase the damage caused over the past two years. Health officials now face the task of monitoring for any renewed spread and determining what lessons can be carried into future outbreak response.

The announcement gives Congo a rare positive marker after a prolonged health emergency that strained the country’s public-health system and drew international attention.