WHO warns: Increase in mpox cases

The World Health Organization has noted an increase in "mpox" cases emerging in Africa and has warned the public against the disease.

Rosamund Lewis, a WHO expert on the mpox virus, participated in the weekly press briefing of the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva via video link to provide an assessment.

Emphasizing that mpox continues to be a public health threat as cases continue to rise, Lewis stated that more than 3,100 cases have been reported worldwide since the beginning of the year.

Stating that "in May alone, approximately 600 confirmed cases from 26 countries were reported to the WHO," Lewis highlighted the increase in mpox cases, particularly in Africa, and called for intensive research to identify the root causes.

Lewis noted that since April, South Africa has reported 13 confirmed cases and two deaths linked to "clade IIb," a variant of the mpox virus.

Stating that the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to face a major outbreak, Lewis said that out of 9,291 mpox cases reported in 2024 alone, 419 have resulted in death.

Lewis noted that the mortality rate for mpox virus cases detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is approximately 5 percent.

Noting that children are the most affected by the outbreak, Lewis also underscored that addressing the recent rise in mpox cases in Africa is a critical necessity.