Monkeypox Outbreak Spreads Across 17 African Countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that 17 African countries have reported active transmission of monkeypox over the past six weeks, raising renewed concerns about the virus’s spread across the continent.

According to WHO data, 2,862 confirmed cases and 17 deaths were recorded between September 14 and October 19, 2025. 

The organization emphasized that the continued spread highlights the urgent need for surveillance, vaccination, and cross-border cooperation to contain the outbreak.

The report also noted that Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain have each reported their first cases of the A.1B subvariant of monkeypox since the organization’s last update.

Monkeypox is transmitted primarily through close physical contact and causes symptoms similar to influenza, followed by pus-filled skin lesions. 

While the illness is generally mild, it can be fatal in some cases, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Health officials are urging affected nations to strengthen monitoring systems and ensure vaccine accessibility to prevent further escalation.