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The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern, its highest alert level, due to the outbreak of mpox – previously known as monkeypox— in Africa, originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and caused by a new, more serious and lethal strain.
This was decided by the WHO after analysing the situation together with 16 experts from the Emergency Committee.
The number of cases so far this year has surpassed last year’s total, with more than 14,000 diagnoses and 524 deaths, WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus Adhanom said during the meeting.
On Tuesday, the African Centre for Disease Control had already declared a continental health emergency due to the disease.
The emergence of the new variant in the DRC in 2023 and its rapid spread is “particularly worrying” for the WHO.
In the past month, some 90 cases of the new strain have been reported in four countries neighbouring the DRC that had not previously reported mpox: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by a virus of the same name. It can cause a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Most people recover completely, but some become seriously ill.
This Thursday Swedish authorities have confirmed a first case de mpox.
Authorities are urging improved monitoring to detect cases of the disease, which has a variety of symptoms.
Here we present them to you:
- A rash with sores that may look like pimples or blisters.
- Fever.
- Shivers.
- Swollen lymph nodes (swollen glands)
- Exhaustion.
- Muscle and back pain.
- Headache.
- Symptoms respiratory, such as sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough.