The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over escalating mpox outbreaks, driven by the spread of a highly transmissible viral clade. Africa remains the outbreak's epicenter, but recent cases linked to international travel signal growing global risks.
Africa's Enduring Battle
Countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Burundi are facing the heaviest burden. Uganda reported the second-highest case count in Africa between December 2023 and February 2024, with the clade Ib MPXV strain now active in eight DRC provinces. Community transmission has also been confirmed in Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, and Burundi.
Global Spread and Emerging Clusters
The UAE recorded its first clade Ib case on February 7, 2025, involving a traveler from Uganda. At least seven other international cases have been tied to UAE travel, suggesting localized spread. In the U.S., New York confirmed its first clade Ib case this week, linked to recent travel from East Africa, following similar reports in California, Georgia, and New Hampshire.
WHO emphasized cross-border collaboration and surveillance to curb transmission, noting that mpox's evolving patterns require 'urgent global action.'
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Mpox outbreaks continue to challenge the world, says WHO report
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