Mpox Cases Rise in Africa, New Detections Reported in Malaysia and Europe
JAKARTA – The World Health Organization (WHO) reported Friday, October 31, 2025, that mpox – formerly known as monkeypox – continues to spread in 17 African countries, with ongoing active transmission for the past six weeks. The resurgence has resulted in 2,862 confirmed cases and 17 deaths between September 14 and October 19, 2025, according to Reuters.
While the global health emergency declaration for mpox was lifted in September 2025, the virus remains a meaningful public health concern, particularly in Africa. The WHO has also recently confirmed the detection of Clade Ib mpox (MPXV) in several countries outside of africa for the first time since its last report, including Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. This signals a potential shift in the virusS geographic distribution and underscores the need for continued vigilance.
Mpox is a viral infection spread through close contact,typically causing flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. Tho usually mild, the illness can be fatal, especially in young children and individuals with compromised immune systems. Transmission can occur from animals – primarily rodents – to humans, though outbreaks historically were limited to remote areas.
The virus gained global attention in 2022 when it spread rapidly worldwide, particularly among men who have sex with men, prompting the WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) – a designation reserved for only four other diseases. A surge in African cases during the summer of 2024 led to a renewed PHEIC declaration in August 2024.
While cases declined globally in recent months,leading to the end of the PHEIC on September 5,2025,as recommended by the advisory committee,the WHO maintains that mpox remains an epidemic in Africa and continues to evolve,now spreading more readily from person to person and increasingly appearing in urban settings.
