The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, its highest level of alert. This declaration comes in response to a severe outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where over 27,000 cases and 1,100 deaths have been reported since the beginning of 2023. The current outbreak is the worst ever recorded in the country.
The situation has triggered global concern due to the rapid spread of a new, little-known strain of the monkeypox virus. Currently, two strains of the virus are circulating in Congo: the endemic form and this new offshoot. Transmission of the virus occurs through close contact, including sexual contact and contact with contaminated objects such as clothing or linens. In some areas of Congo, children in displacement camps have also been affected.
The outbreak has spread beyond Congo, with cases now reported in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and Kenya. The WHO’s announcement comes just days after a similar declaration from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
How is mpox transmitted?
Mpox can be transmitted through direct contact with infected skin lesions, including those on the mouth or genitals. The virus can also spread through contaminated objects like clothing, linens, or in communal settings like tattoo parlors. Animal-to-human transmission can occur through bites, scratches, or contact with infected animal carcasses during activities like hunting, skinning, trapping, or cooking.
What are the symptoms?
Mpox symptoms typically appear 1 to 21 days after exposure and include rashes, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms generally last for 2 to 4 weeks, but can be prolonged for individuals with weakened immune systems.
