Rising epidemiological trends in prevalence and mortality of mpox: Global insights and analysis.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the global epidemiological trends in the prevalence and mortality due to mpox in various regions worldwide.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study the data about mpox outbreak were recorded by the "World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and GSAID" from August 2023 to August 2024, analyzing the epidemiological trends from different countries worldwide.

Results: The total number of mpox cases has reached 99,518 (95,196 cases from 115 countries that have not historically reported mpox; and 4,322 cases from 07 states that have traditionally reported mpox), from a total of 122 countries. The top 10 countries with the greatest number of mpox cases include the United States (33,435) followed by Brazil (11212), Spain (8084), France (4272), Colombia (4249), Mexico (4124), United Kingdom (3952), Peru (3875), Germany (3857), and Democratic Republic of Congo (3104). America has the highest number of cases (63,145) accounting for 63% of total cases globally, followed by Europe (27,194). Democratic Republic of Congo faces the highest increase in cases within a single year, with the infectious rate in the region up by 160%, alongside a higher risk of mortality.

Conclusion: Mpox cases have rapidly spread worldwide, reaching 99,518 cases across 122 countries, and being declared a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" by the WHO. Healthcare authorities must take timely measures to control this outbreak since the world cannot afford the global burden of it being another potential pandemic.