A public health emergency has been declared by the World Health Organisation over a new outbreak of mpox in several African nations, with at least three cases now reported outside of the continent.
Formerly known as monkeypox, the infection has been on the rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which accounts for 96 per cent of all cases in Africa.
More than 17,000 cases and 571 deaths have now been confirmed across the continent so far this year, with the WHO calling the outbreak an “international concern”.
The public health emergency was declared by the group’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The outbreak comes as a new strain, named clade 1, is said to be spreading mainly through sexual networks. The WHO says it has been identified in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda – all countries that have never reported cases of mpox before.
UK health officials are preparing for any potential cases of a new strain of mpox after the WHO declared outbreaks of the virus in Africa a global emergency.
Doctor explains why mpox is spreading quickly as WHO declares global emergency
Doctor explains why mpox is spreading quickly as WHO declares global emergency
A doctor has given his thoughts on why an initial outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread fast. The strain, known as clade 1b, emerged in the central African nation and has also spread to the east of the continent. “My suspicion is this particular strain is is more severe, more easily transmissible between humans, and that may be due to the fact that the virus has continued to circulate across global communities including this part of the African continent,” Erik Blutinger, emergency physician and public health specialist, said. UK health officials have said they are preparing for any potential cases after the World Health Organisation declared outbreaks of the virus in Africa a global emergency.
Salma Ouaguira21 August 2024 06:30
People urged to get vaccine before travelling to impacted areas of Africa
Salma Ouaguira21 August 2024 06:00
Congo’s humanitarian crisis helped mpox spiral again into a global health emergency
Salma Ouaguira21 August 2024 05:30
New deadly mpox strain likely to be in UK already, says diseases expert
A new, more deadly strain of mpox sweeping the world is highly likely to already be in the UK, a specialist in infectious diseases has warned.
Professor Paul Hunter said mpox, which used to be called monkeypox, can spread very quickly between countries because it is a sexually transmitted infection.
And he urged people at risk to get vaccinated against it or cut the number of sexual partners they have.
Read the full story below:
Salma Ouaguira21 August 2024 05:00
Now that mpox is a global health emergency, will it trigger another pandemic?
Salma Ouaguira21 August 2024 04:30
Mpox 2024 mapped: All the countries where cases of the new strain have been confirmed
A public health emergency has been declared by the World Health Organisation over a new outbreak of mpox in several African nations, with at least three cases now reported outside of the continent.
Formerly known as monkeypox, the infection has been on the rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which accounts for 96 per cent of all cases in Africa.
More than 17,000 cases have now been confirmed across the continent, with the WHO saying the outbreak is of “international concern”.
The public health emergency was declared by the group’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The outbreak comes as a new strain is identified, named clade 1, said to be spreading mainly through sexual networks. WHO says it has been identified in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda – all countries that have never reported cases of mpox before.
Read the full story below:
Salma Ouaguira21 August 2024 04:00
What is mpox and what does the WHO emergency declaration mean?
The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared mpox a global health emergency in response to the growing number of cases both in Africa and other continents.
Mpox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes milder symptoms like fever, chills and body aches. People with more serious cases can develop characteristic lesions on the face, hands, chest and genitals.
Salma Ouaguira21 August 2024 03:30
What are the symptoms of mpox and how does it spread?
Mpox is passed on through close physical contact, including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or holding hands.
The NHS said: “Mpox can be passed on from person to person through any close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or holding hands), touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with mpox, the coughs or sneezes of a person with mpox when they’re close to you.
“If you get infected with mpox, it usually takes between 5 and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear.”
The first symptoms include:
- High fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Back ache
- Swollen glands
- Shivering (chills)
- Exhaustion
- Joint pain
Salma Ouaguira21 August 2024 03:00
UK mpox outbreak of 2022: Where cases started and how infection spread to 3,000 people
Salma Ouaguira21 August 2024 02:30
What do UK health officials say?
Before the case in Sweden was announced, and following the declaration of clade 1b as a global emergency by the WHO, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was on alert for any cases of the virus.
Officials said there are currently no cases in the UK and the risk to the population is low.
However, the UK is preparing for any potential cases by ensuring clinicians are aware of mpox and able to recognise cases promptly.
Rapid testing is also being made available, while protocols are being developed for the safe care of potential patients to prevent transmission.
Salma Ouaguira21 August 2024 02:00