Is mpox eradicated like smallpox?
No. Mpox is not eradicated. Smallpox is the only human disease ever declared eradicated (WHO, 1980), achieved through a global vaccination campaign. Mpox continues to circulate in animal reservoirs (primarily rodents in Central and West Africa) and causes recurrent human outbreaks. The 2022-2024 global mpox outbreak (clade IIb) led the WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) twice: in 2022 and again in August 2024 when clade I expanded in the DRC and neighbouring countries. Eradication of mpox is not currently feasible given its animal reservoir.
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Last update Jun 13, 2026 · ⚠ Not medical advice. Information is provided for awareness only; consult a physician for individual health questions.