The World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency on Wednesday.
What is mpox?
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the highly contagious Monkeypox virus. It is from the same family as smallpox, but not related to chickenpox.
Types of Monkeypox
The virus comes in two types: Clade 1, which causes more severe illness and is endemic to Central Africa; Clade 2, which caused the 2022 global outbreak, is less severe and endemic to West Africa.
Transmission and Symptoms
Both types can easily spread between people through physical contact, infected animals, or contaminated materials. Symptoms include a painful skin rash or mucosal lesions, enlarged lymph nodes, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and fever.
Health Impacts
While most people fully recover, children, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for complications from mpox.
Current Situation and WHO Response
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency over the ongoing monkeypox outbreak in Africa, with substantial increases in cases reported this year.
