The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa a global health emergency, the highest level of alarm under international health law. It follows a public health emergency declaration that the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention made for the continent Tuesday.
What is mpox?
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease related to the now-eradicated smallpox virus. It can spread through close contact such as touching, kissing or sex, as well as through contaminated materials like sheets, clothing and needles, according to WHO.
Initial symptoms are typically flu-like — including fever, chills, exhaustion, headache and muscle weakness — often followed by a painful or itchy rash with raised lesions that scab over and resolve over a period of weeks.
II – Have Your Say
1, Why is it called mpox?
* The disease is caused by Orthopoxvirus monkeypox, formerly “monkeypox virus”, a zoonotic virus in the genus Orthopoxvirus.
2, How to stay safe from monkeypox?
