The World Health Organization has reported 780 confirmed cases of monkeypox across 27 countries where the disease is not typically found, a figure released in the organization’s midyear assessment of the health crisis.
From May 13 to June 2, 2022, the WHO documented 780 laboratory confirmed cases of monkeypox, identified through surveillance efforts across the global network.
In the endemic regions, including Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone, health authorities noted 1,408 suspected cases since the start of the year, with 44 confirmations and 66 deaths to date. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for the largest share of the fatal outcomes, reflecting the ongoing burden of monkeypox in areas where the virus is historically present.
The WHO characterizes the current situation as a moderate level of risk. It emphasizes that for the first time multiple cases and clusters of monkeypox have emerged simultaneously in both non endemic and endemic regions, spanning diverse geographic areas.
UN health officials caution that there have been no recorded deaths in the non endemic countries during the latest phase of the outbreak so far, although cases and fatalities continue to be reported in regions where the virus remains established.
The countries with the highest number of non endemic cases so far include the United Kingdom with 207 cases, followed by Spain with 156 and Portugal with 138. These patterns underscore the cross border nature of the outbreak and the importance of vigilant monitoring and rapid response to new clusters.
Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic disease. In simple terms, it can spread between animals and humans, presenting with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes, chills, fatigue, and a distinctive rash that often appears on the hands and face. The illness bears similarities to smallpox but tends to be less severe in most cases.
Historically, the death rate from monkeypox has varied between outbreaks and regions, but records show it staying below ten percent in documented events. This underscores the importance of early detection, supportive care, and targeted public health interventions to reduce the impact of the disease wherever it appears.