The World Health Organization has declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring countries. Mpox, which spreads through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, has resulted in over 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths in Africa this year. This declaration will help accelerate research, funding, and international public health measures to contain the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years.
The declaration follows an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has spread to neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Mpox, a viral infection that can spread through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, is generally mild but can be fatal in rare cases.
This declaration aids in accelerating research, funding, and international public health measures to contain the disease.
The current outbreak involves two strains: the endemic clade I and a new, more easily spread variant, clade Ib.
Africa has reported over 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths this year, marking a 160% increase from the previous year.