Monkeypox outbreak and response efforts in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Monkeypox (MPX), a viral zoonotic disease, is endemic in Central and Western Africa.
• Global MPX cases surged in 2022, with 74 countries reporting infections across all six WHO regions.
• As of July 21, 2022, WHO documented 15,328 confirmed and 72 probable MPX cases, including 5 deaths.

Discussion:

• The majority of confirmed MPX cases (76%) were reported by the WHO European Region, followed by the Region of the Americas (22%).
• African, Western Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean, and South-East Asian regions reported a significantly lower percentage of cases.
• All reported MPX-related deaths occurred within the African Region.

Key Insights:

• The 2022 MPX outbreak demonstrated rapid international spread beyond its endemic areas.
• European and American regions became the epicenters of the 2022 global MPX outbreak.
• Mortality data indicates a higher fatality rate in the African Region, though case numbers were lower.

Outlook:

• Continued global surveillance is crucial for monitoring MPX transmission dynamics.
• Understanding the factors contributing to the rapid international spread is essential for future prevention strategies.
• Further research into MPX pathogenesis and transmission may inform public health interventions.