African health leaders have declared a “public health emergency” across Africa amid a worrying rise in mpox cases.
Representatives of the African Union, a group of 55 member states on the African continent, confirmed that more than 14,000 cases have been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo only.
“It is with a heavy heart, but with an unwavering commitment to our people, to our African citizens, that I declare MPOX a public health and security emergency for the continent,” the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Tuesday (August 13).
Mpox has so far killed more than 511 people in Congo, raising concerns about the spread of this highly contagious disease.
More than $1 million (£780,000) has been released from the WHO's emergency fund to scale up the response to the worrying outbreak.
Scientists also tried to access mpox vaccineswith two vaccinations approved by the Congolese authorities this summer.
Smallpox can cause painful lesions all over the body and in severe cases can even be fatal.
What exactly is it, why did the name change and what are the symptoms?
Here's everything you need to know.
Mpox is a viral disease caused by the mpox virusa virus belonging to the orthopoxvirus family, which also includes the variola virus that causes smallpox.
- Discovery:The virus was first identified in 1958 when outbreaks occurred in colonies of monkeys used for research, leading to the name “monkeypox”.
- Human cases: The first recorded human case occurred in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since then, mpox has been found mainly in countries in Central and West Africa, where it is endemic.
- Distribution: Although mpox is primarily transmitted from animals to humans, human-to-human transmission can also occur through close contact. The virus gained global attention in 2022 when the disease spread to several non-endemic countries, including Europe and North America.
Mpox is generally less serious than smallpox, but its spread to new regions is raising public health concerns worldwide.
Why was the name changed from monkeypox to monkeypox?
The WHO changed the name of the disease from “monkeypox” to “mpox” in November 2022. The change was in response to concerns about the potential for stigma and racism associated with the original name. Some believed it could reinforce harmful stereotypes, especially as the disease began to spread more widely outside of Africa.
The name “monkeypox” was coined because the virus was first identified in monkeys, but the disease is more commonly associated with rodents in its natural reservoirs. WHO sought a neutral, non-stigmatizing name that would be more in line with naming conventions used for other diseases.
The decision to rename the disease was part of broader efforts to ensure that disease names are culturally sensitive and do not contribute to discrimination or stigmatization of individuals or communities.
What are the symptoms of mpox?
Symptoms of mpox include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Back pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- shivers
- Exhaustion
In addition, a rash usually develops. This often starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, including the genitals.
The rash develops in stages, starting as flat lesions. It then becomes raised, filled with fluid (blisters) and turns into crusts that eventually fall off. The appearance of the rash may resemble other conditions, including chickenpox or syphilis.
- Incubation periodThe incubation period of mpox is usually 6 to 13 days, but can range from 5 to 21 days.
- Seriousness: Although mpox is often mild, it can lead to serious symptoms, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
- Transfer:The disease spreads primarily through close contact with an infected person or through contaminated material. It can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets during prolonged person-to-person contact.
These symptoms and disease progression are crucial for diagnosis and treatment, especially in non-endemic areas where awareness of the disease may be lower.
How many mpox cases have there been in the UK?
The government and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that through August 2024, the UK had reported 4,018 confirmed and highly probable cases of mpox since the outbreak began in May 2022.
Of these, 3,732 cases were reported in 2022 and 286 in 2023 and 2024. Most cases occurred in England, with fewer cases reported in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
What does the UK Health Security Agency say about mpox?
The UKHSA has been actively monitoring and responding to the mpox outbreak since May 2022. The focus is on understanding the transmission dynamics, noting in particular that the majority of cases are in men who have sex with men.
The UKHSA advises anyone who is concerned about mpox to contact a sexual health clinic or call NHS 111.
Although the virus does not generally spread easily and the overall risk to the UK population remains low, the UKHSA recommends vaccination for those eligible.
The agency also conducted source and contact tracing of people who had close contact with confirmed cases.