The threat of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs), which are new or already known infectious diseases in which the incidence rate changes in a given population or region, is constantly threatening our society. Factors such as increased international travel, human interaction with wildlife, and microbial evolution have intensified the risk of various infectious disease outbreaks to an unprecedented level. The recent Covid-19 pandemic was a clear example of this. Even today, we are still reminded of the risks posed by various EIDs, such as recent cases of avian flu (H5N1) and MPOX (monkeypox) that have been reported by the media and global and regional health authorities.

Understanding and sharing knowledge of emerging risks is a key part of SCOR’s role as a reinsurer. As a new outbreak of MPOX has emerged and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a second MPOX public health emergency of international concerns (PHEIC) in August 2024, our L&H researchers and medical experts have updated the previous research report published in 2022 to better understand the risk posed by the increasing spread of this virus.

This article highlights our current understanding of this disease, including transmissions, vaccines, treatments, and the potential impact it may have on society.