The mpox virus (file photo)
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been declared a public health emergency in Africa by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
In 2022, an outbreak of a milder mpox virus that spread through sexual contact affected mostly gay men in Europe, Australia and the U.S.
A new, more deadly strain has been spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has reported 13,700 cases this year including 450 deaths. The virus has spread to neighboring countries including Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya and Rwanda.
Symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain and aching muscles followed by a severe rash, which can be painful of itchy and leave scarring. In most cases, mpox will clear up on its own after three weeks. Vaccines are also available, but not usually administered until after exposure. Plans are for 10 million doses of the vaccine to be sent to central Africa to stop the spread of the virus.
The virus can be spread through sexual contact or through contact with someone infected through openings in the skin. It can also enter the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.
— David Taffet