Steady drops in new monkeypox cases continue in North America and Europe, resulting in a 22% overall decline in cases reported in the last week, according to a new situation report from the World Health Organization (WHO).

There are 5 more global deaths since the WHO's previous report on Sep 7, raising the total to 23 (of the deaths, 14 are from African countries). Not included in the report is a new death from the Czech Republic, in a patient who had pneumonia and underlying conditions including HIV.

In the past week, 23 nations have reported increases in cases, with Chile reporting the most significant jump. Three countries have reported their first cases, Guam, Bahrain, and Ukraine.

Together the United States, Spain, Brazil, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Peru, Canada, Colombia, and the Netherlands account for 86.7% of the cases worldwide. Cases still predominantly involve young adult men.

Among patients with sexual orientation reported, 90.9% (13,940/15,339) identified as men who have sex with men, the WHO said. Transmission through skin and mucosal contact during sexual activities was likewise involved in 90.9% of all reported transmission events.

Among patients with known HIV status, 44.2% are HIV-positive.

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