New Strand Of Mpox Virus Outbreak In Africa

New Strand Of Mpox Virus Outbreak In Africa

New Strand Of Mpox Virus has recently emerged in Africa, causing significant concern among health officials and the public alike. This outbreak has been declared a public health emergency by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) due to its rapid spread and severe impact².

The Outbreak

Since the beginning of the year, over 13,700 cases and 450 deaths have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alone³. The virus has also spread to other countries, including Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Kenya, and Rwanda³. This new strain is particularly alarming because it is more deadly and spreads faster than previous strains.

Transmission

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads through close contact with an infected person or animal. This includes skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, and even respiratory droplets from talking or breathing close to someone³. Symptoms of mpox include fever, muscle aches, and lesions that can appear all over the body³. If left untreated, the virus can be fatal.

Symptoms

Here are the most common ones:

1. Fever: Often one of the first signs.
2. Also Headache: Persistent and sometimes severe.
3. Muscle Aches: General body pain and discomfort.
4. Backache: Specific pain in the lower back.
5. Swollen Lymph Nodes: Particularly in the neck, armpits, and groin.
6. Chills: Accompanied by fever.
7. Exhaustion: Extreme tiredness and lack of energy.
8. Rash: This typically starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body. The rash goes through several stages, from flat lesions to raised bumps, then to fluid-filled blisters, and finally to scabs.

Response and Prevention

The declaration of a public health emergency aims to coordinate a more effective response to the outbreak. This includes increasing the flow of medical supplies and aid to affected areas³. Health officials are also working to educate the public on preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact with infected individuals and practicing good hygiene.

Global Implications

The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring the situation and may consider raising its global alert level⁴. The international community is on high alert to also prevent the outbreak from spreading beyond Africa, which could potentially lead to a global pandemic.

Conclusion

The new strain of the mpox virus in Africa is a serious public health concern that requires immediate and coordinated action. By staying informed and taking preventive measures, we can help control the spread of this dangerous virus.