Diseases - WHO sees global risk: 13,000 Mpox cases in Congo
The World Health Organization(WHO) is sounding the alarm over a major Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the UN organization in Geneva, more than 13,000 suspected cases and more than 600 deaths related to the disease, formerly known as monkeypox, occurred in Congo between January and mid-November.
The outbreak "poses a risk to people in DRC, neighboring countries and around the world," said WHO expert Rosamund Lewis. The WHO is currently working with the authorities in Congo to expand testing capacity and bring vaccine into the country.
Sexual transmission detected for the first time
According to Lewis, the increasing spread in Congo is linked to sex work. Due to the many border crossings between the Congo and neighboring countries, the WHO is concerned about the regional spread of the viral disease. The WHO is also alarmed because sexual transmission of the Mpox virus strain prevalent in the Congo has been detected for the first time.
Another strain of the virus had spread in many countries from May 2022, primarily through sexual contact. There were also thousands of cases in Germany. The WHO declared an international health emergency, which was lifted last May.
Mpox viruses are transmitted through close physical contact. The most noticeable symptom of the disease are blisters and pustules on the skin.
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Source: www.stern.de
