The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern.
The highly contagious disease – formerly known as monkeypox – has killed at least 450 people during an initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The spread of the new strain of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo, “its detection in neighboring countries that had not previously reported, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a briefing on Wednesday.
“A co-ordinated international response is essential to stop this outbreak and save lives,” he said.
Mpox, which is transmitted through close contact, such as sex, skin-to-skin contact and talking or breathing close to another person, causes flu-like symptoms, skin lesions and can be fatal.
