The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that Africa accounted for about 75% of confirmed mpox cases recorded globally in July, as transmission of the disease continues across several regions.

The global health agency said the overall public health risk associated with the ongoing multi-country mpox outbreak remains moderate.

WHO disclosed this in its 69th situation report, which assessed recent epidemiological trends and the continuing spread of mpox across different parts of the world.

According to the report, 32 countries across four WHO regions recorded 1,370 confirmed mpox cases and seven deaths in July.

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The figures put the global case fatality ratio at 0.5% for the period under review.

Africa accounted for the largest share of the reported cases, with 11 countries recording active transmission between July 6 and August 16.

During that period, the African region recorded 1,153 confirmed cases and all seven deaths reported in Africa.

WHO said Madagascar, Angola, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Cameroon recorded the highest number of confirmed cases on the continent during the six-week period.

Africa Remains at Centre of Global Mpox Transmission

The WHO report showed that confirmed mpox cases in Africa increased in July compared with the previous month.

By contrast, the Americas, Western Pacific, European and South-East Asia regions recorded declines in confirmed cases during the same period.

The Eastern Mediterranean Region reported no confirmed mpox cases in July, continuing a trend that was also recorded in June.

Globally, Madagascar, Angola, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya recorded the highest numbers of confirmed mpox cases in July, according to WHO.

The agency said transmission continued to disproportionately affect key populations, with sexual transmission identified as the major mode of spread, followed by household transmission and community outbreaks.

WHO also noted that all clades of the monkeypox virus continued to circulate, underscoring the importance of sustained surveillance and coordinated public health responses.

Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can spread through close physical contact with an infected person, contaminated materials or infected animals.

The continued circulation of different virus clades has kept health authorities focused on surveillance, early detection, vaccination and other measures designed to limit transmission.

WHO previously declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in August 2024 following a surge in cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the emergence of a new clade in neighbouring African countries.

The emergency declaration was subsequently lifted on September 5, 2025, after WHO determined that the outbreak no longer met the criteria for an international public health emergency.

However, the organisation retained standing recommendations for the continued management and monitoring of mpox.

Africa has remained a major focus of the international response because of the persistent burden of disease across several countries.

WHO figures previously cited for 2024 showed that Africa recorded 14,669 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases and 55 deaths.

In April 2025, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO said more than $220 million was needed to sustain and expand the continent’s response as transmission continued.

Efforts to improve access to vaccines have also continued. A global initiative aimed at establishing an mpox vaccine stockpile was launched in August 2026 to provide countries with more reliable access to vaccines during outbreaks.

WHO said the stockpile is expected to begin operations later in September and will be available to countries responding to mpox outbreaks.

The initiative was approved by the Gavi Board in 2025 and is funded by Gavi, with coordination through the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision.

According to WHO, 145 countries and territories reported 190,683 confirmed mpox cases and 529 deaths globally between January 2022 and July 2026.

Despite the end of the international emergency declaration, the latest figures indicate that mpox continues to require sustained monitoring, particularly in Africa.

The WHO’s assessment that the global public health risk remains moderate highlights the need for continued vigilance without suggesting that the current situation constitutes a global emergency.