Mpox Outbreak in Madagascar: Updates and Response

Madagascar is currently facing an outbreak of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), with cases steadily increasing since its official declaration on December 30, 2025. Health officials are working to contain the spread of the virus, with a focus on vaccination and surveillance.

Situation Overview

The Ministry of Public Health of Madagascar officially declared the Mpox outbreak following laboratory confirmation. The outbreak involves Mpox Clade 1b. As of January 16, 2026, a total of 78 confirmed cases had been reported nationally, originating in the Mahajanga I District, Boeny Region. UNICEF reports that cumulative notified cases reached 290 nationwide, including 212 suspected cases, 10 recoveries, and no deaths at that time.

Geographic Distribution

The outbreak is primarily concentrated in the Boeny region (North-West), accounting for 86 confirmed cases and 119 suspected cases. Vakinankaratra region has reported 28 confirmed cases, and Betsiboka region has 2 cases. Suspected cases have also been reported in seventeen other regions, representing two-thirds of the country, including Diana (7), Atsimo Andrefana (4), Alaotra Mangoro (1), Analamanga (12), Anosy (1), Bongolava (1), Fitovinany (1), Haute Matsiatra (12), Itasy (1), Menabe (3), Sava (1), Sofia (6), and Vatovavy (8), Melaky (4). ReliefWeb

Impact on Children

A concerning aspect of the outbreak is the number of cases involving children. As of January 16, 2026, 8 confirmed cases and 84 suspected cases were reported in children. Save the Children highlights that children under the age of 5 are particularly vulnerable, mirroring trends observed in previous Mpox outbreaks in Africa, such as in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2024, where children were nearly four times more likely to die from the disease than adults.

Vaccination Efforts

In response to the growing outbreak, 30,000 doses of vaccine produced by Bavarian Nordic laboratory have arrived in Madagascar. The vaccine has received a favorable opinion from the Technical Advisory Group on Vaccination (GT-CV) of Madagascar and will be used for targeted vaccination of frontline health workers and people at risk, according to health authorities. Medecinedesvoyages

Recent Developments (March 2026)

As of March 2, 2026, Madagascar has reported a total of 1,186 cases since December 18, 2025, with 539 confirmed cases across 37 districts. Mahajanga remains the epicenter, with 280 confirmed cases (52%), followed by Antananarivo Capital (74 cases, 14%), Antananarivo Atsimondrano (25 cases, 5%), Toliara (22 cases, 4%), and Fianarantsoa (15 cases, 3%). 374 patients have been declared cured. The first death, a 3-year-old child, was confirmed on March 2, 2026, after the child died on February 28 at the Cenhosoa hospital center. Medecinedesvoyages

Key Takeaways

• Madagascar is experiencing an ongoing Mpox outbreak declared in December 2025.
• The Boeny region is the most affected area.
• Children are particularly vulnerable to severe illness from Mpox.
• Vaccination efforts are underway with 30,000 doses of vaccine available.
• As of March 2, 2026, one death has been confirmed.