Deadliest Mpox Virus Spreading Rapidly In African Countries: WHO Calls For Emergency Meet

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Mpox Virus Outbreak: Deadlies and the most virulent variant of Mpox Virus is spreading rapidly across the African countries. WHO is considering declaring an international health emergency amidst sudden surge in cases.

Mpox Virus Updates: The World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday called an “emergency” meeting of international experts amidst growing cases of the deadliest variant of Mpox virus in African countries. As per reports, this highly virulent variant of the Mpox virus can infect more individuals in less time – making it a global concern for the WHO experts.

Taking cognizance of the current situation in the African countries, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “In light of the spread of Mpox outside DRC and the potential for further international spread within and outside Africa, I have decided to convene an emergency committee under the International Health Regulations to advise me on whether the outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern.”

What Is Mpox Virus?

Mpox virus, also known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that causes painful skin boils, in addition to fever, headache, and muscle aches. The virus spreads from one individual to another through close and skin-to-skin contact. It can also be transmitted via infected respiratory droplets while sneezing, and coughing.

Mpox is brought by the mpox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, the same as the smallpox virus. The virus is zoonotic, which means that it spreads from animals to people. It is mostly spread through contact with infected animals and primates, in Africa. Additionally, close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials can result in human-to-human transmission.

What is the incubation period of this virus? Mpox virus is a communicable disease that can last from 2 to 4 weeks. However, the symptoms start showing up within 24-48 hours post-infection.

The current Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has already seen around 27,000 cases and claimed more than 1,100 lives, most of them children, since the beginning of 2023.

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