The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing outbreaks of mpox(MP) in Congo and elsewhere in Africa to be a global emergency. It  urge nations for urgent action to curb the virus’ transmission.

In 2022–2023 a global outbreak of mpox was caused due to a strain known as clade IIb. The monkeypox virus was discovered in Denmark (1958) in monkeys kept for research. The first reported human case of mpox was a nine-month-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, 1970).

Vaccination can help prevent infection for people at risk.

Mpox

• The monkeypox virus causes ,Mp (monkeypox) which is a viral illness , a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. Two different clades exist: clade I and clade II
• Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions.
• The infected person experience fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Mp can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.
• Mp is treated with supportive care.
• Mp can be prevented : avoid physical contact with someone who has mpox. Vaccination can help prevent infection for people at risk.

Overview

The monkeypox virus causes the disease mpox (formerly monkeypox). The two genetic clades of the virus are clades I and II.

Mp can spread from person to person or occasionally from animals to people. Following eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the end of smallpox vaccination worldwide, mp 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.

Transmission

Person-to-person transmission of mp can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on genitals; this includes contact which is

• face-to-face (talking or breathing)
• skin-to-skin (touching or vaginal/anal sex)
• mouth-to-mouth (kissing)
• mouth-to-skin contact (oral sex or kissing the skin)
• respiratory droplets or short-range aerosols from prolonged close contact

The virus then enters the body through broken skin, mucosal surfaces (e g oral, pharyngeal, ocular, genital, anorectal), or via the respiratory tract. Mpox can spread to other members of the household and to sex partners. People with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk.

Common symptoms of mp are:

• rash
• fever
• sore throat
• headache
• muscle aches
• back pain
• low energy
• swollen lymph nodes. 

Detection of viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the preferred laboratory test for mpox.

If you have mp:

• Tell anyone you have been close to recently 
• Stay at home until all scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms 
• Cover lesions and wear a well-fitting mask when around other people
• Avoid physical contact.