WHO report indicates ongoing challenges with mpox outbreaks worldwide
A recent report from the WHO highlights that mpox outbreaks are still a significant global challenge.
TroibNews 
The challenges posed by outbreaks of the mpox virus are intensifying, especially in select regions of Africa and the UAE, according to a situation report released by the World Health Organization on Thursday.
**Africa's Struggle**
Currently, Africa stands as the epicenter of mpox infections, with the DRC, Burundi, and Uganda experiencing the most significant outbreaks. Over a six-week period from December 23, 2024, to February 2, 2025, Uganda recorded the second-highest number of confirmed cases on the continent, signaling a concerning upward trend.
The report also mentions that clade Ib MPXV, which was first identified in September 2023, has now disseminated to eight provinces in the DRC and is also causing community transmission in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia.
**Global Spread and the UAE**
Additionally, the report points out new travel-related cases of mpox linked to clade Ib MPXV in countries like Thailand and the United Kingdom, which had previously documented cases. Importantly, the UAE identified its first case of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV on February 7, 2025. This case involved an adult who had recently traveled to Uganda, with symptom onset occurring on January 11, 2025, and confirmation of the case on January 18, 2025. The patient is currently under care in hospital isolation.
At least seven additional cases reported in various countries have been traced back to travel from the UAE, indicating the possibility of community transmission within the nation.
In the United States, the New York State Department of Health confirmed its first case of the emerging mpox strain on Tuesday, marking it as the fourth known case in the country. Previous cases have been recorded in California, Georgia, and New Hampshire. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the individual had recently traveled from East Africa.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
**Africa's Struggle**
Currently, Africa stands as the epicenter of mpox infections, with the DRC, Burundi, and Uganda experiencing the most significant outbreaks. Over a six-week period from December 23, 2024, to February 2, 2025, Uganda recorded the second-highest number of confirmed cases on the continent, signaling a concerning upward trend.
The report also mentions that clade Ib MPXV, which was first identified in September 2023, has now disseminated to eight provinces in the DRC and is also causing community transmission in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia.
**Global Spread and the UAE**
Additionally, the report points out new travel-related cases of mpox linked to clade Ib MPXV in countries like Thailand and the United Kingdom, which had previously documented cases. Importantly, the UAE identified its first case of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV on February 7, 2025. This case involved an adult who had recently traveled to Uganda, with symptom onset occurring on January 11, 2025, and confirmation of the case on January 18, 2025. The patient is currently under care in hospital isolation.
At least seven additional cases reported in various countries have been traced back to travel from the UAE, indicating the possibility of community transmission within the nation.
In the United States, the New York State Department of Health confirmed its first case of the emerging mpox strain on Tuesday, marking it as the fourth known case in the country. Previous cases have been recorded in California, Georgia, and New Hampshire. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the individual had recently traveled from East Africa.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
