First Mpox Variant Case Sparks Fresh Worries
Germany has recently confirmed its first case of a more transmissible strain of the mpox virus, according to the Robert Koch Institute, the country’s disease control agency. The infected individual contracted the virus abroad, though the institute has withheld details regarding their location and treatment status. Officials at the institute stated they are “closely monitoring the situation” and may revise their guidelines as needed.
This new strain of mpox, which had its first confirmed case outside of Africa in Sweden in August, has also been reported in Thailand. In response to the virus’s spread, the World Health Organization has declared the growing mpox outbreaks across Africa as a global health emergency.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen the highest concentration of cases, with outbreaks now affecting 18 of Africa’s 55 countries. According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 42,438 suspected cases on the continent this year, with 8,113 confirmed as mpox, and over 1,000 related deaths have been reported. Mpox, commonly transmitted through close physical contact, including sexual contact, causes symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches. Severe cases can result in skin lesions on various parts of the body, including the face, chest, and genital area.
Earlier in the year, researchers identified a new mpox variant in a mining town in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This new form appears to spread more easily than previous variants but may cause milder symptoms.
As mpox continues to spread, global health authorities remain vigilant and are working to assess the risks of these emerging variants.
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