The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox outbreaks in Africa a global emergency. Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is spreading quickly in over a dozen countries, including among children and adults.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that more than 500 people have died from mpox. They called for international help to stop the virus.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “This is very concerning. The virus could spread further in Africa and beyond.” A global emergency is WHO’s highest alert level, but it doesn’t mean the disease is extremely contagious or deadly.
The Africa CDC warned that a new form of mpox is spreading, with few vaccines available. This new version of the virus, found mostly in Congo, has a death rate of 3-4%. Mpox has been detected in 13 countries this year, with over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported.
Nearly 70% of cases in Congo are in children under 15, who also make up 85% of the deaths.
What is Mpox?
Mpox is related to smallpox but is less deadly. It was first discovered in monkeys in 1958 and later in humans in 1970 in Congo. Mpox spreads mainly through close contact with infected people, including during sex.
New Symptoms of Mpox
A new form of mpox causes milder symptoms and lesions on the genitals, making it harder to detect. This increases the risk of spreading the virus without knowing.
Can We Stop Mpox?
In 2022, Western countries controlled mpox with vaccines, but Africa has very few of them. Some experts suggest using smallpox vaccines to protect those most at risk, such as sex workers, children, and people living in outbreak areas.
A large supply of vaccines is needed to stop the spread.
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