Over 120 countries reported cases of mpox between January 2022 to December 2024. As of 08 December 2024, the distribution of reported MPXV clades by country of detection is shown in Figure 1. To date, clade Ib MPXV in Africa has been detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (in South Kivu, North Kivu, Kinshasa, Kasai, Tshopo and Tanganyika provinces), as well as in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Seven countries outside of Africa have detected clade Ib MPXV.
Figure 1. Geographic distribution of MPXV clades reported to WHO, by country, as of 08 December 2024.
WHO conducted the latest global mpox rapid risk assessment in November 2024. Based on information available at the time, the mpox risk of geographical spread and potential impact on health was assessed as follows:
Table 1: Overall public health risk and risk of national and international spread, by MPXV clade, as assessed by WHO
Most reported cases so far have been identified through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary healthcare facilities and have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men. Although close physical contact with lesions on the skin or mucosal surfaces of mpox symptomatic persons represents the main factor for human-to-human transmission in this outbreak, recent studies suggest that sexual activity could represent an important route of disease transmission.
To fight against mpox, WHO is collaborating with health authorities to prevent the further spread of the disease. BioPerfectus, which specializes in infectious disease diagnostics, has consistently supported mpox testing and control efforts.
Despite recommended by the African CDC guideline and the Global Fund, BioPerfectus also assisted the Italy National Institute for Infectious Diseases to further explore the different infection intensities of mpox in different sexual transmission methods. This evidence is crucial to enable development of proper interventions and to provide valuable support for decisionmaking regarding protective measures for mpox patients and their close contacts.
Despite being recommended by the African CDC guidelines and the Global Fund, BioPerfectus also assisted the Italian National Institute for Infectious Diseases in investigating the varying infection intensities of mpox across different sexual transmission methods. This evidence is vital for developing effective interventions and supporting decision-making regarding protective measures for mpox patients and their close contacts.
BioPerfectus Mpox diagnostic solutions have played a crucial role in supporting local testing and control efforts to aid in outbreak containment. The recognition underscores our commitment to providing high-quality diagnostic solutions and our rapid response to global health challenges.
Reference:
-WHO Mpox Multi-country external situation report no. 43, published 9 December 2024
-https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/mpx_global/
-https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/monkeypox-oubreak-2022/1000
-Sberna, Giuseppe et al. “Role of Direct Sexual Contact in Human Transmission of Monkeypox Virus, Italy.” Emerging infectious diseases vol. 30,9 (2024): 1829-1833. doi:10.3201/eid3009.240075
