The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that all known strains of the Mpox virus remain in circulation, raising concerns about sustained community transmission if outbreaks are not quickly contained. A newly detected strain, clade Ib, has now spread beyond Africa, signaling a widening global reach.
According to the WHO’s latest situation report, 42 countries recorded 3,135 confirmed Mpox cases and 12 deaths in September 2025, a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 0.4%, with more than 80% of infections reported in the African Region. Seventeen African countries have experienced ongoing transmission in recent weeks, with 2,862 confirmed cases and 17 deaths (CFR 0.6%).
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Kenya, and Ghana reported the highest numbers, with increases in Kenya and Liberia and a decline in Congo.
At least five recent clade Ib infections were reported among men with same-sex partners, marking the first evidence of this strain circulating within that group. The WHO currently assesses the public health risk as moderate for men with same-sex partners and low for the general population outside endemic regions.
Globally, four WHO regions, Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Americas, and the Western Pacific, reported declines in monthly cases, while Europe and South-East Asia saw increases in September. Although the overall fatality rate remains low, the resurgence of Mpox poses new challenges for global health authorities.
The WHO is urging stronger surveillance, wider vaccine access, and improved infection-control measures to prevent the virus from becoming entrenched. The agency stressed that containment remains possible, but only through swift and coordinated international action.
About the Author
