From the start of the year through September 12, health authorities reported 57,607 monkeypox cases and 22 deaths worldwide, according to the latest briefing by the World Health Organization. The figure paints a global picture of spread, severity, and the ongoing public health response as nations monitor clusters, track transmission, and adjust guidance for communities at risk. The tally reflects data collected across multiple regions and health systems, underscoring the importance of timely reporting and international cooperation in understanding the evolving landscape of this disease [WHO briefing].
Across the globe, weekly case growth shows a downward trend, with a decline of 8.5 percent recorded between September 5 and September 11. The most affected weeks have historically tied to activity across the Americas and Europe, where the majority of recent reports originate. In the last four weeks, roughly three quarters of new cases have emerged in the Americas region, while European countries account for about a quarter of the remaining share. These regional patterns help health authorities prioritize testing, vaccination efforts where available, and targeted outreach to communities that remain at higher risk during the current phase of transmission [WHO briefing].
Geographically, ten countries together account for a substantial portion of reported infections. The United States leads the list with more than twenty thousand cases, followed by Spain, Brazil, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Peru, Canada, the Netherlands, and Colombia. Collectively, these nations represent about 87 percent of all reported cases to date, illustrating how travel, local outbreaks, and public health interventions intersect in the global response. Tracking country-specific trends supports a faster, more precise allocation of resources, laboratory capacity, and community outreach initiatives to curb transmission and protect vulnerable groups [WHO briefing].
In recent weeks, more than twenty-one countries have shown increases in weekly case counts, signaling heterogeneous dynamics across regions. Mexico reported the largest uptick among these, while several other countries have not seen new cases in the past three weeks. Jordan reported its first case in the previous week, a reminder that vigilance and surveillance remain essential tools for early detection and containment. Public health messaging emphasizes the importance of testing strategies, timely isolation where appropriate, and adherence to local guidelines during periods of fluctuating activity [WHO briefing].
Regarding transmission context, authorities note that, with the exception of certain West and Central African nations, the current outbreak continues to disproportionately affect men who have sex with men in specific settings. This observation reflects observed clustering patterns rather than a universal rule of spread, and it underscores the need for targeted, non-stigmatizing prevention efforts, including risk reduction education, access to vaccines where available, and consistent use of protective measures in relevant social networks. The overall assessment remains that there is no evidence of sustained transmission beyond these networks, reinforcing the value of community-focused interventions and clear public health guidance for affected populations [WHO briefing].
Healthcare workers have reported 322 cases, highlighting the occupational exposure risk within frontline settings. While this figure points to a subset of infections linked to professional care environments, health authorities stress that a large portion of infections occur in the general population outside occupational exposure. Ongoing research is directed at understanding the full range of factors contributing to infection susceptibility and transmission, ensuring that protection strategies for healthcare workers and the broader public are informed by the most up-to-date evidence and practice recommendations [WHO briefing].