Mpox
A viral disease caused by monkeypox virus; clade I is the more severe lineage currently circulating in Africa and now establishing local transmission in Europe.
In September 2026, EU and EEA countries reported 342 clade I mpox cases, part of 1,939 cases recorded across 23 countries that year.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why is Europe tracking mpox monthly in 2026 when the clade Ib emergency is in central Africa?
Timeline for mpox
ECDC counts clade I mpox rise in Europe
Pandemics and BiosecurityMentioned in: Madagascar logs half July's mpox cases
Pandemics and BiosecurityHeld flat in confirmed clade I case counts across the EU/EEA in June
Pandemics and Biosecurity: Europe's clade I mpox line goes flatEurope starts a monthly mpox watch
Pandemics and BiosecurityBackground
monkeypox virus causes the infectious disease mpox. It can spread through close contact with an infected person, contaminated materials or infected animals. Symptoms can include a rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes and pain. Surveillance distinguishes viral clades because their geography, severity and transmission patterns can differ. Laboratory sequencing therefore helps researchers identify where transmission occurs.
Clade I is monitored in both African and European surveillance systems. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control publishes a monthly bulletin and separates risk assessments for groups with different exposure patterns. Missing clade data can limit comparisons between countries and months. Large outbreaks can also produce high test positivity and substantial under-detection, as Madagascar's reporting showed. Vaccination, case finding and clear contact advice are central control measures.
Clade I transmission spans continents
EU and EEA countries reported 342 clade I mpox cases in September 2026. Across January to September, the European disease agency counted 1,939 cases in 23 countries, mostly among men who have sex with men. Missing clade data limited how confidently the trend could be read.
The European rise followed a large outbreak in Madagascar. That country reported 703 of the world's 1,370 confirmed cases in July and had 3,436 confirmed cases by 16 August. Together, the events show clade I transmission in very different settings, while the missing surveillance data prevent a complete comparison between them.
Clade Ib finds a new epicentre
How many mpox clade I cases has the EU recorded?
Is mpox getting worse in Europe?
Which European countries have local mpox transmission in 2026?
Reference
What is the difference between mpox clade I and clade II?
Why did WHO declare mpox a global health emergency?
Is mpox still a global health emergency in 2026?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.