[An image of Monkeypox virus. Photo credit: Pixabay]

Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).

On August 14, 2024, the WHO announced that outbreaks initially observed in Africa have now escalated to a global emergency.

While originating in Africa, cases of Mpox have been reported in more than a dozen countries, prompting this declaration.

The ongoing rise in cases and the international spread of the virus have led to this emergency classification.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called for international assistance to stop the spread, as the virus has already caused over 500 deaths.

“This is something that should concern us all… The potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” mentioned the director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Mpox is a virus that is known to cause symptoms such as fever, painful rashes, and swollen lymph nodes.

Those who suffer or experience Mpox usually recover, but there are exceptions where the disease can be fatal.

Mpox is highly infectious, and anyone is at risk of catching it.

Among the various levels defined by the WHO, a global emergency represents the highest and most severe state of crisis.

The Africa CDC has warned that due to limited supply of vaccines available, and the increasing number of patients, the virus could spread beyond Africa to other continents.

Salim Abdool Karim, chair of the Africa CDC emergency group and a South African infectious disease expert, stated, “We are now in a situation where (Mpox) poses a risk to many more neighbors in and around central Africa.”

The current strain of Mpox has an estimated mortality rate of 3-4%, compared to previous strains.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, over 70% of cases involve children under 15, who account for at least 85% of Mpox-related deaths.

Besides Africa, where Mpox originated, the virus has also been detected in Sweden.

The current strain of Mpox appears to spread more easily than previous versions.

It is transmitted through close contact with infected individuals and is highly contagious.

Unlike earlier strains, the new version of Mpox can manifest on various parts of the body, making it more difficult to detect.

Watching for symptoms, getting tested if symptoms appear, and increasing vaccine availability could help slow the spread of the virus.