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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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...

Atlas of mpox lesions: a tool for clinical researchers, 28 April 2023, version 1.0

This compilation of images of mpox lesions shows examples of the effects of monkeypox virus infection on the skin and mucosa.The Atlas has been developed...

Surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing for mpox (monkeypox): interim guidance, 22 December 2022

This is an updated version of the previous guidance published on 25 August 2022. It applies to all countries with potential mpox (monkeypox) cases, including...

Background document for the SAGE October 2022 
session on monkeypox vaccines

In April 2022, a Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization Working Group on smallpox and monkeypox vaccines was established to advise...

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...