43rd Mpox Outbreak Report Issued

The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the 43rd situation report for the multi-country outbreak of mpox, including countries in the African Region and some countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

As of December 9, 2024, most (>95%) of suspected mpox cases in all African countries except the Democratic Republic of the Congo are tested, so only confirmed cases are reported.

The highlights of this 26-page report are as follows:

• The Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations was unanimous in expressing the view that the ongoing upsurge of mpox still meets the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and that the event continues to constitute a PHEIC and issued revised temporary recommendations to this effect.
• Since the last situation report, two additional countries have confirmed travel-related cases of mpox due to clade Ib MPXV for the first time: Canada and the United States of America. The U.S. case is a male adult in California who reported a recent history of travel to locations in East Africa.
• In late November 2024, the United Kingdom notified WHO of a fifth case of mpox in Leeds due to clade Ib MPXV.
• One country, Angola, has reported mpox cases for the first time.

Regarding preventive vaccines, following the vaccination workshop in early November 2024, countries are submitting updated vaccination plans. As of December 2024, 1,678,000 additional mpox vaccine doses are available for shipment.

In addition to Bavarian Nordic's JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®) vaccine, the WHO added LC16m8 to the Emergency Use Listing in November 2024. A single dose of the Japan-based vaccine is administered via a multiple-puncture technique using a bifurcated needle.

In the U.S., the JYNNEOS vaccine is commercially available at various clinics and pharmacies.