Mpox kills 511 patients, 14,000 cases recorded in Congo DR, spreads across African states

 

LAGOS – The World Health Organisation, WHO has warned about the deadly strain of Mpox virus that is fast spreading across Africa.

In a statement, WHO said the virus has killed 511 patients  in the Democratic Republic of Congo. while 14,000 cases have been recorded.

“There are also outbreaks of the disease in neighboring countries — Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda”, WHO said.

It added, “We’re having to, once again, dip into the contingency fund for emergencies to begin the process. It’s very important that we have a better understanding of this virus.

“It’s a virus that can be contained. It can be contained quite straightforwardly if we do the right things at the right time,” Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, said.

According to him, Mpox is transmitted both between humans and from infected animals.

“It is spread through close contact with contaminated materials.

“Symptoms include fever, painful rash, headache, muscle and back pain, fatigue, and enlarged lymph nodes”, WHO said.

It noted that for decades, the disease has been more common in the Central and West African regions, but that in 2022, there were outbreaks in Europe and North America.