Mpox resurfaces in West Africa, prompting calls for vaccines and stronger surveillance

Mpox, the virus once called monkeypox, is now reported in new West African states including Guinea and Sierra Leone, expanding a pattern of recent outbreaks beyond its traditional African range. The latest cluster features 46 suspected infections, half of which are children under 15 and many under four, a group that experts say is especially vulnerable to severe disease. While the WHO ended the 2024 public-health emergency in September 2025, officials caution that the virus continues to circulate and could evolve, prompting preparation of a new global vaccine stockpile.

Vaccines are largely stocked in high-income nations, leaving low-income areas where transmission thrives with scarce access. Antiviral tecovirimat showed no benefit in trials, underscoring the importance of basic supportive care. Researchers stress that early detection, contact tracing, and robust surveillance are critical to contain further spread.