Conference Abstract | Volume 9 (ConfPro8): Abstract 104 | Published: 13 Oct 2026
Ndi Jerry Albanie Nsagha1,&, Tanue Elvis Asangbeng1, Kouam Fondjo Arnaud2, Nsagha Dickson Shey1
1Department of Public Health & Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon, 2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon
&Corresponding author: Ndi Jerry Albanie Nsagha, Department of Public Health & Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon, Email: ndi.jerry@ubuea.cm
Received: 11 Mar 2026, Accepted: 30 Aug 2026, Published: 13 Oct 2026
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Mpox, epidemiology, disease surveillance, zoonotic transmission, conflict-sensitive surveillance
©Ndi Jerry Albanie Nsagha et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Ndi Jerry Albanie Nsagha et al., Endemic mpox at the human–animal–conflict interface: Epidemiology and surveillance constraints in South West Region of Cameroon, 2020–2026. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2026;9(ConfPro8):104. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO8-00104
Southwest Cameroon is a high-risk setting for Mpox because forest-dependent livelihoods, human–animal contact, cross-border mobility and sociopolitical instability converge with a fragile surveillance system. Yet evidence on who is affected, where transmission concentrates and why surveillance under-detects cases remains limited. This study described the epidemiological profile of Mpox and healthcare workers’ perspectives on surveillance in the Southwest Region, Cameroon, from 2020 to 2026.
A mixed-methods cross-sectional study used DHIS2 records of 202 suspected Mpox cases reported across 11 health districts from January 2020 to June 2026. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to assess epidemiological patterns and outcome correlates. Six healthcare workers participated in in-depth interviews, and transcripts were analyzed thematically using NVivo.
Children under 15 years accounted for 101 (49.8%) cases, 126 (62.4%) were male, and farmers/forest workers represented 77 (38.5%), indicating concentration among children and forest-exposed populations. Mbonge Health District reported 105 (51.9%) cases, and annual notifications peaked in 2023, 57 (28.2%). Of 202 suspected cases, 47 (23.3%) were PCR-confirmed; Clade II predominated among confirmed cases, 35 (74.5%). Six deaths were recorded, giving a case fatality ratio of 3.0%. Death was significantly associated with complications (χ²=16.49, p=0.015), hospitalization (χ²=20.40, p<0.001) and exposure to confirmed cases (χ²=10.92, p=0.042). Qualitative findings showed that laboratory centralization, PPE shortages, conflict-related workforce displacement, fragmented reporting and community stigma delayed detection and weakened response.
Mpox in the South West Region of Cameroon is concentrated among children, males, and forest-exposed groups, suggesting endemic zoonotic transmission amplified by surveillance fragility and conflict. Strengthening decentralized testing, worker training, PPE supply, conflict-sensitive reporting and community stigma-reduction is essential for earlier detection and control.
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