Mpox (monkeypox) outbreak

Mpox (monkeypox) outbreak

2022

Overview

Since early May 2022, cases of mpox (monkeypox) have been reported from countries where the disease is not endemic, and continue to be reported in several endemic countries. Most confirmed cases with travel history reported travel to countries in Europe and North America, rather than West or Central Africa where the mpox virus is endemic. This is the first time that many mpox cases and clusters have been reported concurrently in non-endemic and endemic countries in widely disparate geographical areas.

Most reported cases so far have been identified through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary health-care facilities and have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men.

WHO is collaborating with health authorities to prevent further spread of the disease. We are issuing guidance to help countries on surveillance, laboratory work, clinical care, infection prevention and control, as well as risk communication and community engagement to inform communities at risk and the broader general public about mpox and how to keep safe. We are also working closely with countries in Africa, regional institutions, and technical and financial partners, to support efforts to bolster laboratory diagnosis, disease surveillance, readiness and response actions to prevent further infections.

 

News

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Publications

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Community experiences of the 2022–2023 mpox outbreak in Europe and the Americas

Throughout 2022–2023, WHO provided guidance and support to communities newly affected by mpox, including gay men, bisexual men and other men who...

Target product profiles for tests used for mpox (‎monkeypox)‎ diagnosis

Circulation of monkeypox virus globally has increased demand for diagnostics, prompted rapid development of commercial kits, and driven expansion of networks...

Responding to the global mpox outbreak: ethics issues and considerations: a policy brief, 19 July 2023

In order to fulfill the strategic aim of stopping the global mpox outbreak and eliminating human-to-human transmission of this emerging disease, the global...

HRP at 50: sexual and reproductive health and rights in epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response

Since 1972, the UN cosponsored special programme, HRP, has pursued a vision of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. This is the...

WHO Documents

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Building upon the framework of the Monkeypox Strategic Preparedness, Readiness and Response Plan, the Operational Planning Guidelines serves as a practical...

Since early May 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported from countries in Europe and the Americas, amounting to an unusually high number of cases and...

The Monkeypox Strategic Preparedness, Readiness, and Response Plan (SPRP) outlines a framework of priorities for aligning collective efforts...

An outbreak of monkeypox, a viral infectious disease, is currently being reported in countries where the disease had not been found before. The risk...

This public health advice from WHO provides information on the potential impact of stigma, recommended language and actions to counter stigmatizing attitudes...