Monkey pox
Version: November 2025
Introduction
Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus within the Poxviridae family. First identified in monkeys in 1958 and later in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, monkeypox presents symptoms similar to smallpox, though generally milder. It manifests with fever, headache, muscle aches, and an evolving rash, eventually forming pustules. Transmission occurs via direct contact with infectious sores, bodily fluids, or contaminated items. Though originally endemic to Central and West Africa, recent outbreaks have led to increased global awareness and efforts toward prevention and vaccination.
Highlights
- Fluctuating Case Numbers: The data indicates a fluctuating pattern of Monkeypox cases over the years in the Chinese mainland, with peaks in October 2023 (127 cases) and July 2025 (135 cases).
- Decreasing Trend in 2024: After an initial rise in late 2023, there was a noticeable decline in cases throughout much of 2024, reaching a low of 16 cases in November.
- Increasing Trend in 2025: The year 2025 shows a marked resurgence in Monkeypox cases, with consistent increases since February, peaking mid-year.
- No Reported Deaths: Despite the fluctuating number of cases, there have been no reported deaths throughout the observed period, indicating effective disease management.
Analysis
Cases Analysis
The reported cases of monkeypox in mainland China reveal a fluctuating trend from late 2023 to late 2025. Initially, there was a notable increase in cases, climbing from 80 in September 2023 to 127 in October 2023. This was followed by a decline and stabilization of cases towards the early months of 2024, with figures generally declining to 39 cases by April 2024. After this reduction, the number of monthly cases hovered around this lower range until November 2024 when a low of 16 cases was recorded. However, cases started to gradually rise again from December 2024 onwards.
By 2025, the data depicted an upward trajectory, with significant increases in reported cases peaking in the mid-year. From January to July 2025, the case numbers increased more than threefold, reaching a peak of 135 in July. Another downward trend was observed from August to November 2025, with cases easing back down to 65 by November. Throughout this period, it is notable that there were no reported deaths, indicating that while the disease was present and fluctuating in terms of case numbers, it may have been managed effectively in terms of mortality, potentially due to effective treatment protocols or less virulent strains affecting mainland China.
Deaths Analysis
The provided data for Monkeypox in mainland China, spanning from September 2023 to November 2025, indicates a total absence of fatalities despite fluctuating case numbers. From September 2023 to November 2025, cases ranged from a low of 16 in November 2024 to a high of 135 in July 2025. Despite the variations in the number of reported cases, the death toll consistently remained at zero throughout this period. This suggests that, within the Chinese mainland context, the disease was managed effectively enough to prevent fatalities over these two years.
The absence of deaths throughout these months presents a scenario in which public health interventions, such as vaccination campaigns, public health awareness, and treatment facilities, may have been relatively effective for Monkeypox, or the strain present did not elevate to life-threatening conditions under typical healthcare practices in the region. The data highlights this consistency across a timeline that saw both rises and falls in case numbers, implying that effective management strategies were in place. Additionally, the healthcare system may have maintained an effective response capability to handle the monkeypox cases, preventing any progressions to lethal outcomes. Overall, the situation reflects positively on public health measures and the medical response capacity within the Chinese mainland during this period.