Time: 2024-08-09
Cases of a deadlier strain of mpox have been confirmed in four countries in Africa , raising alarm among health officials around the world . Levels of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo have reached more than 14,000 reported cases and 511 deaths , spreading to Burundi , Kenya , Rwanda , and Uganda . The World Health Organization plans to convene an emergency committee to determine whether the outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory to address the risk of additional spread , recommending heightened vigilance for mpox in people who recently traveled from the DRC or bordering countries . Mpox is a viral disease that can spread easily between people and from infected animals through various means . There are two genetic clades of the virus , with Clade Ib causing more severe disease and currently responsible for the outbreak in the DRC.
The DRC has reported the largest number of suspected clade I mpox cases on record since January 2023 , with the risk of further spread being moderate in the region . While the CDC classifies the risk of importing the virus into the US as very low , they continue to recommend vaccination for those at risk . The WHO has initiated the Emergency Use Listing process for approved mpox vaccines to expedite access for lower - income countries . International support and cooperation are essential to quell the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
WHO Director - General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for a comprehensive international response to contain the virus effectively . He highlighted the importance of funding and coordination to control the outbreak , stressing that the virus can be contained with the right interventions . Dr. Michael Ryan , executive director of WHOs Health Emergencies Program , emphasized the significance of understanding the virus and taking appropriate actions to prevent its spread.
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