WHO declares monkeypox virus a public health emergency of international concern. UN News reports.
It is noted that since January, the African continent has seen an unprecedented, according to experts, surge in monkeypox cases: 15 countries have reported outbreaks of the disease. Since the beginning of 2024, 2,030 cases of infection and 13 deaths have been confirmed — compared to 1,145 cases and seven deaths in 2023.
Typical symptoms of monkeypox are a skin rash or lesions of the mucous membranes, which can last for two to four weeks and be accompanied by fever, headache, muscle and back pain, weakness and swollen lymph nodes.
People can become infected with monkeypox through physical contact with an infected person, contaminated objects or infected animals.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has the largest number of reported cases (90 percent), the WHO says, including a new variant that emerged last September. Cases of the variant have been reported in neighboring Rwanda and Uganda, as well as Kenya. Analysis of cases in Burundi is ongoing.
