News Investigators/ The World Health Organization (WHO) says the global public health risk from the ongoing multi-country mpox outbreak remains moderate, with Africa accounting for about 75 per cent of cases reported in July.
The organization, in a statement on Monday, disclosed in its 69th situation report that 32 countries across four regions reported 1,370 confirmed mpox cases and seven deaths in July, representing a case fatality ratio of 0.5 per cent.
It said that 11 African countries recorded active transmission between July 6 and Aug. 16, reporting 1,153 confirmed cases and seven deaths, with a case fatality ratio of 0.6 per cent.
“Madagascar, Angola, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Cameroon recorded the highest number of cases in Africa during the six-week period,” it said.
According to WHO, the African Region reported more confirmed mpox cases in July than in June, while the Americas, Western Pacific, European and South-East Asia regions recorded declines.
“The Eastern Mediterranean Region reported no confirmed mpox cases in July, continuing the trend recorded in June.
Globally, Madagascar, Angola, China, the DRC and Kenya reported the highest numbers of confirmed mpox cases during July,” it said.
According to it, mpox transmission continued to affect key populations largely through sexual transmission, often followed by household spread and community outbreaks.
It added that all clades of Monkeypox Virus (MPXV) continued to circulate, underscoring the need for sustained surveillance and coordinated response.
The organization, however, urged countries and partners to maintain mpox surveillance, notification, preparedness and response activities across all technical areas in line with WHO recommendations.
It added that the WHO Director-General’s standing recommendations on mpox, issued under the International Health Regulations (2005), had been extended until August 2027.
The report also noted that Chile and Hungary reported mpox caused by clade Ib MPXV for the first time, while several European countries continued to record community transmission of the clade.
NAN
