The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a total of **3,135 monkeypox cases** globally during the month of **September 2023**. The report, released on **October 30**, highlights that over **80 percent** of these cases originated from the African region, which has been significantly impacted by the ongoing outbreak.
The reported cases span **42 countries** and include **12 fatalities**. Since the beginning of the year, between January and September, the WHO has documented **44,299 confirmed cases** across **93 nations**, resulting in **180 deaths**. This highlights the escalating nature of the public health concern related to monkeypox.
Regional Impact and New Findings
The report noted a significant development, indicating that **Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Portugal,** and **Spain** have reported the detection of the **clade Ib monkeypox virus (MPXV)** for the first time. This suggests a potential expansion of the virus’s geographical footprint and raises concerns regarding its transmission dynamics.
In addition to the newly reported cases, there have been instances of **imported cases of mpox** associated with clade Ib MPXV among travelers, particularly in **Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Qatar,** and **Spain**. This underscores the importance of surveillance and preventive measures as the virus continues to spread across borders.
The WHO continues to emphasize the need for robust public health responses to manage the outbreak effectively. With the virus affecting multiple regions, particularly in Africa, health authorities worldwide are urged to remain vigilant and prioritize containment strategies.
