Mpox outbreaks continue to challenge the world, says WHO report

The challenge of mpox virus (MPXV) outbreaks is growing, particularly in parts of Africa and the UAE, according to the latest situation report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday.

Africa's struggle

Africa remains the epicenter of mpox infections, with the DRC, Burundi and Uganda bearing the brunt of the outbreaks. In the last six weeks from December 23, 2024 to February 2, 2025, Uganda reported the second-highest number of confirmed cases on the continent, indicating a rising trend.

The report also notes that clade Ib MPXV, first detected in September 2023, has spread to eight provinces in the DRC and is now causing community transmission in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.

Global spread and the UAE

The report highlights new travel-related cases of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV in countries such as Thailand and the United Kingdom, which had previously reported cases. Notably, the UAE reported its first case of mpox caused by clade Ib MPXV on February 7, 2025. The case involved an adult with a recent travel history to Uganda. Symptom onset occurred on January 11, 2025, and the case was confirmed on January 18, 2025. The patient is currently receiving care in hospital isolation.

At least seven other cases reported in different countries have been linked to travel from the UAE, suggesting potential community transmission within the country.

The New York State Department of Health confirmed its first case of the new mpox strain on Tuesday, making it the fourth known case in the U.S. The others were reported in California, Georgia and New Hampshire. The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday the patient had recently traveled from East Africa.