Daijiworld Media Network - Geneva

Geneva, Aug 29: Mpox continues to pose a global health threat, with 47 countries reporting 3,924 confirmed cases, including 30 deaths, in July, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO situation report noted that all clades of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) are circulating in multiple regions. “When mpox outbreaks are not rapidly contained and human-to-human transmission is not interrupted, they continue to pose a risk of sustained community transmission,” the report cautioned.

In July, Senegal reported mpox for the first time, while Türkiye confirmed its first cases linked to clade Ib MPXV. The Democratic Republic of Congo also reported its first cases of clade IIb MPXV. Cases rose in the South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions, while declines were seen in Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The Eastern Mediterranean region reported no cases.

Across Africa, 21 countries reported ongoing transmission in the past six weeks. West Africa continues to see clade IIb MPXV, Central Africa reports both clade Ia and clade Ib, while East Africa mainly reports clade Ib. WHO highlighted a downward trend driven by declines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.

Kenya, however, continues to witness community spread with a steady rise in cases this year. Most deaths have been recorded among people living with HIV.

Meanwhile, countries including China, Germany, Turkiye, and the United Kingdom have reported additional clade Ib MPXV cases since June, linked to travel. Community transmission of this clade remains limited to central and eastern Africa, the WHO said.