Geneva — The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning over the growing spread of Mpox, reporting that 17 African countries have experienced ongoing transmission in the past six weeks. Between September 14 and October 19, the agency confirmed 2,862 new cases and 17 deaths across the continent.
The latest figures signal a troubling rise in infections and a widening of the virus’s global footprint. Mpox — formerly known as monkeypox — has been detected for the first time in Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, marking a significant expansion beyond its traditional areas of circulation.
While the disease’s overall fatality rate remains low, the resurgence complicates global public-health efforts and raises concerns about potential under-reporting and emerging variants. WHO officials warn that without strengthened monitoring and faster access to vaccines, containment could become increasingly difficult.
“The spread of Mpox is a reminder that infectious diseases know no borders,” the WHO said in its latest situation report. The agency urged countries to intensify surveillance, improve vaccine distribution, and reinforce infection control measures.
Global health experts say swift, coordinated action remains critical to prevent the virus from establishing a broader foothold — and turning a manageable outbreak into a sustained global threat.
