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Over 85,400 mpox cases recorded globally since start of 2022, WHO says

The United States accounts for the majority of confirmed cases, followed by Brazil and Spain

GENEVA, February 3. /TASS/. Over 85,400 cases of mpox (previously known as monkeypox) and 89 fatalities have been recorded around the world since the start of 2022, according to data that the World Health Organization (WHO) published on Friday.

"From January 1, 2022, through January 30, 2023, a cumulative total of 85,449 laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox and 89 deaths have been reported to WHO from 110 countries/territories/areas," the WHO said in a report. "Since the last situation report published on January 19, 2023, 716 new cases (0.8% increase in total cases) and nine new deaths have been reported," the organization added.

As many as 403 cases were identified from January 23-29, 109 more than in the previous seven days.

The United States accounts for the majority of confirmed cases (29,891), followed by Brazil (10,739), Spain (7,518), France (4,128), Colombia (4,066), Mexico (3,768), the United Kingdom (3,735), Peru (3,723), Germany (3,692) and Canada (1,460).

Most affected people (96.6%) are men between the ages of 29 and 41.

Mpox is a rare viral infection that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa. According to the WHO, the virus is transmitted to humans from animals such as rodents and monkeys, while human-to-human transmission is limited. During outbreaks, the case fatality rate ranges from 0 to 10%. There is no specific vaccine for the disease but smallpox vaccines are 85% effective in preventing the infection.

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