WHO reports 2,501 mpox cases, 12 deaths in October

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in October 2025, there were 2,501 new confirmed cases of mpox, also known as monkeypox, and 12 deaths from 44 countries.

All types of the mpox virus are still spreading.

In Africa, 21 countries had active mpox cases, with the most cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda.

Mali reported mpox for the first time.

New cases of a specific type of mpox virus, clade Ib MPXV, were found in travelers in Belgium, Germany, Greece, and the UK.

Some of these cases showed that the virus is spreading locally in countries like Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the US.

Half of the cases were among men who have sex with men.

The WHO says the risk to the general public is low, but it's moderate for men who have sex with multiple partners.