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The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a new outbreak of Mpox in the DRC. The new, more dangerous strain of Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, belongs to the same family as Smallpox, but it can be more hazardous.
Mpox spreads easily among people, and experts warn that it may have already spread to neighboring countries of the DRC. There is concern that this disease may have already reached over 110 countries.
Initially, doctors believed that the disease was spread through sexual contact, but later they discovered that mpox can be transmitted through simple skin contact. Most cases are minor, but this disease kills one out of ten people and can cause miscarriages in pregnant women.
Infections manifest as skin blisters. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms can appear between five and twenty-one days after infection.
The first outbreak in the DRC was reported in 2022 but subsided. However, the new outbreak is believed to be more dangerous and spreading faster. Experts also believe the disease has emerged due to the consumption of bushmeat, which is common in the DRC.
Five percent of adults and ten percent of children who contract the disease die. Research indicates a significant amount of transmission between mothers or caregivers and children. These infections have also caused many household disruptions, and researchers are investigating its long-term impact on fertility. Currently, the new mpox clade 1b virus has spread in the cities of Congo, Bukavu, Uvira, and Kamanyola. This week, it was announced in the capital of North Kivu Province, Goma. These cities are near the borders of the DRC with Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda.
The best way to protect yourself and your community is to wear a mask when going outside, avoid contact with people showing symptoms, similar to the measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have blisters on your body, stay home until they dry up and your skin heals. Seek medical treatment for any symptoms you have.
Although there is no official cure, doctors use standard smallpox medication because the diseases are similar. Mpox can also be prevented by getting vaccinated, and it is recommended to receive two doses.