The WHO Reports 6,000+ Monkeypox Cases In Over 50 Countries

The number of Monkeypox cases worldwide has exceeded 6,000; the World Health Organization announced this week. The outbreak has reached 58 countries, the WHO reported. The figures show a weekly increase of 77% and include two new deaths in parts of Africa where the virus has been circulating for years.

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The committee declared on June 27 that the outbreak was not yet a health emergency. However, the committee acknowledged the "emergency nature" of the epidemic and said controlling the spread requires "intense response efforts." The disease is rising in Africa, where it is expected, and worldwide. Most confirmed Monkeypox cases are in men, particularly gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The committee said most were in urban areas and clustered social and sexual networks last week. Monkeypox is similar to smallpox, which was eradicated worldwide in 1980.