2023-12-15 14:44:54
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of a new spread of the infectious disease Mpox beyond the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo. “We are concerned that there is international transmission,” said WHO expert Rosamund Lewis.
A “rapid” increase in the number of cases has already been observed in Congo: the authorities have already reported more than 13,000 suspected cases this year, more than twice as many as in previous years, said Lewis. More than 600 infected people have died. What is particularly worrying is that, for the first time, more women than men are infected in the areas affected by the epidemic.
The WHO sounded the alarm regarding the infection situation in Congo at the end of November and sent a group of experts to the Central African country.
There are now outbreaks in several countries in Asia – particularly in Japan, Vietnam, China and Indonesia. Cambodia also reported its first case this week. Recently, the number of reported cases has increased once more, from around 100 cases per month in June, July and August to now “more than 1,000 per month,” as Lewis said.
Infections are milder than smallpox
Mpox is a viral disease that can be transmitted to humans from infected animals. The WHO renamed the disease, known for years as monkeypox, to prevent stigmatization just over a year ago.
Mpox infections are usually much milder than smallpox, which has been eradicated for around 40 years. However, severe courses and rarely deaths can also occur. The typical symptoms of the disease include fever and pustules on the skin.
In May 2022, the disease began to spread outside of Africa, especially in Europe. Mostly men who have sex with men were affected. As with Corona, the WHO declared a health emergency of international concern, which ended in May 2023.
Monkeypox
How is Mpox transmitted?
The infectious disease Mpox is passed from person to person through close contact. But not regarding aerosols, such as the coronavirus. There is probably a particularly high risk of infection through contact with body fluids and during sex. You can also become infected through indirect contact – for example through clothing, bed linen, towels or objects such as eating utensils. The virus enters the body through the smallest skin injuries and mucous membranes. These include the eyes, mouth, nose, genitals and anus. Infected people are probably contagious as long as they have symptoms.
What symptoms occur?
The first symptoms of an infection are fever, headaches and muscle pain. The lymph nodes can also swell. A few days following the onset of symptoms, typical skin changes such as spots and pustules develop. These crust over following a while and ultimately fall off the skin. The rash appears on the face, palms and soles of the feet, but can also appear – sometimes in just a few places – in the genital area alone. Many doctors in Europe are currently observing this. The symptoms usually last between two and four weeks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of a new spread of the infectious disease Mpox beyond the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo. “We are concerned that there is international transmission,” said WHO expert Rosamund Lewis.
A “rapid” increase in the number of cases has already been observed in Congo: the authorities have already reported more than 13,000 suspected cases this year, more than twice as many as in previous years, said Lewis. More than 600 infected people have died. What is particularly worrying is that, for the first time, more women than men are infected in the areas affected by the epidemic.
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