African health chiefs have declared a “public health emergency” across Africa amid a worrying surge in mpox cases.
Representatives for the African Union, a group of 55 member states on the African continent, confirmed more than 14,000 cases have been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone.
About 10 other African nations — including Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya and Rwanda — have also identified cases of the disease formerly known as monkeypox.
“I declare with a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our people, to our African citizens, we declare mpox as public health emergency of continental security,” the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Tuesday (August 13).
Mpox has killed more than 511 people in the Congo so far, prompting concern about the spread of the highly infectious disease.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been monitoring the outbreak for some time, having called an emergency meeting in August 2024.
More than $1 million (£780,000) was released from the WHO contingency fund to scale up the response to the concerning outbreak.
Scientists were also trying to accelerate access to mpox vaccines, with two jabs approved by Congo authorities this summer.
Mpox can lead to painful lesions across a person’s body and can even kill a person in severe cases.
So what exactly is it, why was its name changed, and what are the symptoms?
Here’s all you need to know.
What is mpox?
Mpox is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus, part of the orthopoxvirus family, including the variola virus responsible for smallpox.
Origin and history:
- Discovery: The virus was first identified in 1958 when outbreaks occurred in colonies of monkeys used for research, which led to the name "monkeypox”.
- Human cases: The first recorded human case occurred in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Since then, mpox has been primarily found in Central and West African countries, where it is endemic.
- Spread: While mpox is mainly transmitted from animals to humans, human-to-human transmission can occur through close contact. The virus gained global attention in 2022 when it spread to multiple non-endemic countries, including Europe and North America.
Mpox is generally less severe than smallpox, but its spread to new regions has raised public health concerns worldwide.
Why has the name changed from monkeypox?
The WHO changed the name of the disease from "monkeypox" to "mpox" in November 2022. This change addressed concerns about the potential for stigma and racism associated with the original name. Some believed this could reinforce harmful stereotypes, particularly as the disease began spreading more widely outside of Africa.
The name "monkeypox" originated because the virus was first identified in monkeys, but the disease is more commonly associated with rodents in its natural reservoirs. The WHO sought a neutral, non-stigmatising name more in line with the naming conventions used for other diseases.
The decision to rename the disease was part of broader efforts to ensure that the names of diseases are culturally sensitive and do not contribute to discrimination or stigmatisation of individuals or communities
What are the symptoms of mpox?
The symptoms of mpox include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
In addition, a rash typically develops. This often begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, including the genitals.
The rash evolves through several stages, starting as flat lesions, then becoming raised, filled with fluid (vesicles), and finally turning into scabs that eventually fall off. The appearance of the rash can resemble other conditions like chickenpox or syphilis.
Additional information:
- Incubation period: The incubation period for mpox is usually between 6 to 13 days, but it can range from 5 to 21 days.
- Severity: While mpox is often mild, it can lead to severe symptoms, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
- Transmission: The disease is primarily spread through close contact with an infected person or contaminated materials, and it can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.
These symptoms and the progression of the disease are crucial for diagnosis and management, especially in non-endemic regions where awareness might be lower.
How many mpox cases have there been in the UK?
The Government and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of August 2024, the UK has reported 4,018 confirmed and highly probable cases of mpox since the outbreak began in May 2022.
Of these, 3,732 cases were reported in 2022 and 286 were reported in 2023 and 2024. Most cases have occurred in England, with fewer cases reported in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
What does the UK Health Security Agency say about mpox?
The UKHSA has been actively monitoring and responding to the mpox outbreak since May 2022. It has focused on understanding the transmission dynamics, particularly noting thar most cases have been among men who have sex with men.
The UKHSA advises anyone concerned about mpox to contact a sexual health clinic or call NHS 111.
While the virus does not usually spread easily and the overall risk to the UK population remains low, the UKHSA recommends vaccination for those eligible.
The agency has also conducted contact tracing for people in close contact with confirmed cases.
