ALERT ALERT !! WHO declares mpox a global health emergency :::::: Animal to human transmission of mpox occurs from infected animals to humans from bites or scratches, or during activities such as hunting

 WHO declares mpox a global health emergency --- Symptoms include rashes, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.

— Key facts about monkeypox virus and how it is transmitted
Mpox spreads through direct contact with infectious lesions, contaminated objects, and animal interactions. 

South Africa reports second mpox death this week

According to officials there are now two strains of the monkeypox virus spreading through Congo — the endemic form as well as a new and little-known offshoot. 

It is transmitting through sexual contact as well as other close contact - such as among children in displacement camps in parts of Congo - and has now moved from eastern Congo to Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Kenya.

The World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern on Thursday amid an outbreak in Congo. 

More than 27,000 cases and around 1100 deaths have been recorded since January 2023 as the African nation battles its worst-ever outbreak. 

The situation has also triggered global concern due to the rapid spread of a new virus offshoot in recent months.   

Mpox can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on genitals. Infection can also occur through use of contaminated objects such as clothing or linens or in a community setting such as tattoo parlours.

Animal to human transmission of mpox occurs from infected animals to humans from bites or scratches, or during activities such as hunting, skinning, trapping, cooking, playing with carcasses, or eating animals.  

Mpox can be prevented by avoiding physical contact with someone who has mpox. Vaccination can help prevent infection for people at risk.

The monkeypox virus was discovered in Denmark (1958) in monkeys kept for research and the first reported human case of mpox was a nine-month-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, 1970).

Following eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the end of smallpox vaccination worldwide, mpox steadily emerged in central, east and west Africa.

A global outbreak occurred in 2022-2023. The natural reservoir of the virus is unknown - various small mammals such as squirrels and monkeys are susceptible.