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Signs of mpox are skin rashes and lesions. Muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and chills are also common
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has convened an Emergency Committee meeting to address the spread of a highly lethal strain of Mpox (monkeypox) that has raised international concern. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted fears that this strain, first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in April, could spread further within and beyond Africa. The virus, known as clade 1b, has a mortality rate of up to 10% and has now spread beyond the DRC to previously unaffected provinces and neighboring countries including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
This virus is more deadly and has not vaccine yet
The DRC, with its densely populated regions and frequent cross-border movement, has been battling this more virulent strain, recording over 14,000 cases and 511 deaths this year alone. The WHO is working closely with affected countries, Africa's CDC, and other agencies to contain the outbreak and is seeking $15 million in support from the United States for surveillance and response efforts.
Mpox victim in DRC
Unlike the milder clade 2 strain that caused a global outbreak in 2022, clade 1b poses a greater threat, particularly to men who have sex with men and individuals with multiple sexual partners. Despite the severity, the WHO has not recommended travel restrictions but is ramping up vaccine distribution and other containment measures in the region. Symptoms of Mpox include rash, fever, and muscle aches, and while there is no direct cure, treatment focuses on symptom management.
