The Mpox virus was detected in Madagascar in December 2025, with the city of Mahajanga subsequently declared the main epicenter of the disease.
As part of a project funded by the Pandemic Fund, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), and implemented with the support of the IOM Madagascar and Comoros, data on health-related human mobility has begun to be collected at points of entry.
The initial data was officially presented last Tuesday at the Baobab Tree La Corniche Hotel in Mahajanga by Roger-Charles Evina, Chief of Mission for IOM Madagascar and Comoros. The data was collected over three months, from March 2 to June 1, through the Flow Monitoring Point (FMP) under the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). The Boeny region is a major area for population movement, with 34,546 individuals recorded during the collection period.
“IOM collects mobility data as part of a health project under the ‘One Health’ approach. This data helps us better understand mobility dynamics that could facilitate the spread of diseases like Mpox and HIV/AIDS,” stated the IOM Chief of Mission. “Understanding mobility allows us to better focus prevention efforts, but data must be translated into action.”
Dr. Rivomalala Rakotonavalona, representative of the Boeny Regional Directorate of Public Health, added: “The data allows us to characterize traveler flows at key entry points, including the Mahajanga international port, Quai Orange, Philibert Tsiranana Airport in Amborovy, and the Aranta national bus station. We are combining this data with concrete actions, including vaccination and awareness campaigns, as well as HIV/AIDS screening, to strengthen emergency responses in this major Mpox hotspot.”
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-21 06:09:26 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/epidemie-mahajanga-recoit-les-premieres.html