Global confirmed mpox cases have hit 29,715, according to data compiled by the WHO. However, the cases may be higher due to lags in reporting and challenges with testing access in certain areas.
The bulk of the cases are in Africa: 27,982. In addition, 131 deaths in Africa have been reported this year, as of July 20, 2025.
A total of 19 countries in Africa are experiencing outbreaks, and on the continent, all clades of monkeypox virus (MPXV) are circulating. There is an upward trend in West Africa.
But even with the increasing cases, the country hardest hit by mpox this year—the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)—is now seeing a decline in cases.
Outside of Africa, several cases have been reported in China, and there was one travel-related case in Turkey, according to a July 11 WHO situation report.
The Situation in Africa
The most recent statistics collected by the WHO show the DRC has had 13,927 laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox this year, with a total of 42 deaths. Uganda has seen 6,162 cases and 33 deaths; Sierra Leone has seen 4,876 cases and 42 deaths; and Burundi has seen 1,243 cases and no deaths.
All clades of MPXV are circulating in Africa. Clade IIb MPXV is in West Africa, clade Ia is in Central Africa, and clade 1b is in Central and East Africa.
WHO data are showing a declining epidemic trend in recent weeks, largely due to decreases in new cases in the DRC and Sierra Leone. However, the WHO notes the world should not rush to judge that the outbreaks are coming to an end. “Recent trends should be interpreted with caution given likely reporting delays and incomplete testing of suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as resources for the response also dwindle,” wrote the authors of the situation report. For instance, Burundi and Uganda are seeing slight increases, according to the report, and Guinea, where mpox is not historically considered endemic, is experiencing a fast-growing outbreak.
Outside of Africa
Nine new cases have been reported in China, all due to clade Ib MPXV. Four of those nine cases are linked to a previously identified family cluster, three involve individuals with recent travel history and one is linked to sexual contact. Cumulatively, China now has had 784 cases in the past 12 calendar months, with 220 cases in the last month. In comparison, the United States has had 1,678 cases in the past 12 months, with 55 cases in the last month.
The United States has the highest total cases—35,106—since the current outbreak began in May 2022. For comparison, the DRC has had nearly 8,000 fewer total cases (27,363).
The one case in Turkey is actually a retrospective notification from October 2024. This case was an adult male who had traveled from the DRC to Turkey carrying clade Ia MPXV. This is the fourth known cases of clade Ia MPXV in a traveler from the DRC. Thankfully, none have been found to cause secondary cases. Turkey has only had 38 known cases, with 26 occurring in the past 12 months.
Comparing 2024 With 2025
Overall, global mpox cases in 2025 have surpassed those in 2024 (29,715 vs. 26,350). The same is true for deaths (115 vs. 78). However, the global data for 2025 are only as recent as June 30, with data from July likely adding to those numbers. Although this is also higher than the 9,696 cases in 2023, it is nowhere near the 2022 global total of 84,907 cases.
In Africa, where data are as recent as July 20, there are 10,000 more cases so far in 2025 than 2024 (27,982 vs. 17,944). The DRC also has already surpassed its 2024 numbers (13,927 vs. 13,003). The same is true for Uganda (6,162 vs. 1,352) and Sierra Leone (4,876 vs. 0). Other countries are also seeing increases, albeit in smaller numbers (Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Togo, Tanzania, Zambia and others). However, some countries have not yet hit their 2024 totals, including Burundi (1,243 vs. 2,946), Central African Republic (17 vs. 92), Rwanda (40 vs. 82) and South Africa (10 vs. 25).