The number of mpox infections in Guinea has climbed past 200, health officials confirmed Friday, marking a troubling regional trend.

Sory Keira, spokesperson for the National Agency for Health Security, reported 206 total cases, including 77 hospitalisations and one death since the outbreak began in September.

The World Health Organization last month reaffirmed that mpox remains an international health emergency due to a surge in cases across West Africa.

Caused by a virus related to smallpox, mpox spreads through contact with infected animals or close physical interaction between people.

The disease triggers fever, muscle pain, and painful boil-like skin lesions, and can prove fatal in severe cases.

There are two main virus subtypes: clade 1 and clade 2, with clade 2 driving the global spread that began in 2022.

Though historically confined to central Africa, mpox gained international attention when cases appeared worldwide, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men.

In the first five months of this year, Sierra Leone reported 3,350 infections and 16 deaths, underlining the scale of the crisis.

Liberia’s National Public Health Institute noted 71 active cases in early June, while DR Congo, Uganda, and Burundi also reported thousands more.

WHO has warned of likely undetected transmission beyond the African continent, urging vigilance and continued international coordination.

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