The WHO is sounding the alarm about an Mpox outbreak in Congo. From January to mid-November there were more than 13,000 suspected cases and more than 600 deaths.
More than 13,000 suspected cases and more than 600 deaths from January to mid-November: There was a large Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The World Health Organization (WHO) is now sounding the alarm. The outbreak “poses a risk to people in DRC, in neighboring countries and around the world,” said WHO expert Rosamund Lewis. Together with authorities in Congo, the WHO is working to expand testing capacities and bring vaccines into the country.
According to Lewis, the growing Mpox outbreak in Congo is linked to sex work. The WHO is concerned about the high number of border crossings between Congo and neighboring countries and the resulting spread of the disease, previously called monkeypox. The WHO is also alarmed because sexual transmission of the Mpox virus strain that is prevalent there was detected for the first time in the Congo.
Mpox outbreak in Congo: WHO sent a group of experts to the country
At the end of November, the WHO sounded the alarm about the infection situation in the Congo and sent a group of experts to the Central African country. There have now been outbreaks in several Asian countries, particularly in Japan, Vietnam, China and Indonesia. Cambodia also recently reported its first case.
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Video: dpa
Until the beginning of 2022, Mpox was practically only known from a few African countries. In the spring, doctors suddenly discovered numerous cases in other countries. As of May 2022, a strain of the virus had spread in many countries, primarily through sexual contact. There were also thousands of cases in Germany. The WHO declared an international health emergency, which was lifted last May.
Mpox is transmitted through close physical contact
Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus. The most noticeable symptom is blisters and pustules on the skin, including in the genital and anal regions. Mpox is transmitted through close physical contact. Mpox is usually much milder than smallpox, which has been eradicated for around 40 years. However, severe and fatal courses are also possible, especially in very young or immunocompromised patients. There is a vaccination against the disease. (with dpa)
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