What you should know about mpox?

The mpox epidemic broke out in 2022-23, but the current epidemic was preceded by a more dangerous strain. Mpox is a highly contagious viral disease.

At first, the mpox virus was transmitted from animals to humans, but now it is also transmitted from person to person through direct physical contact, for example during sex, as well as through the air if the patient breathes into another person's face or talks to him at close range, reports the BBC.

It can also be spread through touching objects which have been contaminated by the virus, such as bedding, clothing and towels.

Close contact with infected animals, such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, is another route.

The symptoms of mpox are similar to those of the flu, there may also be a rash with blisters. Serious cases can see lesions attack the whole of the body, especially the mouth, eyes and genitals. It can itch and be painful.

The infection can clear up on its own and lasts between 14 and 21 days.

But in some cases there can be fatal outcomes. Until now, this outbreak was associated with a less dangerous strain, Clade 2. Clade I has now spread to Africa, killing 10 percent of those infected. The disease has been registered in 116 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) notes.

Since the beginning of this year, the Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded more than 13,7000 cases, with nearly 500 deaths.

Currently, several different outbreaks are observed, mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries.

Cases of infection were also found in the Central African Republic, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and some other countries.

WHO reminds that in May 2022, the disease spread in Europe and North and South America, and then in the whole world, and 112 patients died. Gay men and bisexuals got sick with it more often.

Anyone who comes in close contact with infected people can become infected. Small children can also get infected because their immune system is in the process of formation. Anyone with a weakened immune system may also be more prone to the disease.

Advice is to avoid close contact with anyone with mpox and clean your hands with soap and water if the virus is in your community.

Those who have mpox should isolate from others until all their lesions have disappeared.

Condoms should be used as a precaution when having sex for 12 weeks after recovery, the WHO says.

Vaccines exist, but only people at risk or who have been in close contact with an infected person are usually able to have it.

The WHO has recently asked drug manufacturers to put forward their mpox vaccines for emergency use, even if those vaccines have not been formally approved.

The Danish company Bavarian Nordic assures that it has enough production capacity to meet the demand.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has declared a continent-wide public health emergency across the continent, and it is hoped that governments will be better able to co-ordinate their response.

Without global action there is real concern the current outbreak could spread beyond Africa.

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