Mozambique mobilizes Field Epidemiology Training Program to respond to the first case of Mpox in Niassa Province

On July 8, 2025, Mozambican Health Authorities confirmed three cases of Mpox in Lago District, Niassa Province. Initially classified as suspected cases, these were later confirmed by the Provincial Public Health Laboratory.

In response to this public health emergency, a specialized team comprising members of the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), the National Institute of Health (INS), and the Ministry of Health (MISAU) was deployed to the affected area on July 12. The mission’s objective was to assist local authorities in managing and controlling the outbreak effectively.

Key Interventions Implemented:

During the field investigation, the team executed several critical response actions, including:

• Active Case Search: Conducting thorough case-finding efforts in health facilities and communities to identify new suspected cases of Mpox.
• Contact Tracing and Monitoring: Identifying and monitoring contacts of confirmed cases, with quarantine measures recommended for individuals exhibiting symptoms suggestive of the disease.
• Investigation of the Source of Infection: Gathering detailed information from the initial cases to trace the source of the infection.
• Training Health Workers: Providing training for local health workers on surveillance, case identification, prevention strategies, and clinical management.
• Community Mobilization: Engaging community leaders and residents in awareness-raising and health education initiatives focused on Mpox prevention and control.
• Strengthening Epidemiological and Clinical Surveillance: Establishing strategic screening points and setting up isolation tents for severe cases.
• Cross-Border Surveillance: Enhancing controls at entry points for travelers from neighboring countries with reported Mpox cases (Malawi and Tanzania), including collaborative meetings to coordinate surveillance efforts.

By July 20, 2025, the conclusion of the first response team’s activities, a total of 13 Mpox cases had been confirmed, all located within Lago District.

The first two confirmed cases involved men aged 17 and 25, both of whom had recently attended a gathering in Lupilichi Locality. They had been in contact with individuals from local communities, as well as visitors from Tanzania and Malawi, including female sex workers.

On July 22, a second team, including two FETP graduates, was deployed to Lago District to ensure the continuity of surveillance and response efforts in collaboration with local authorities.