BBC on Nostr: New mpox strain in DR Congo 'most dangerous yet' ========== A new strain of the mpox ...
New mpox strain in DR Congo 'most dangerous yet'
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A new strain of the mpox virus is spreading quickly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and experts say it is the most dangerous variant they have seen. Mpox, which used to be called monkeypox, is endemic in parts of west and central Africa and cases have been on the rise on the continent for decades. In 2022, a worldwide epidemic of mpox affected Europe, Australia, the US and many other countries. Mpox disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe. The virus was originally transmitted from animals to humans, and is more common in countries close to tropical rainforests. There are two main strains of the virus known to exist. The milder one caused a global outbreak in 2022 which spread to nearly 100 countries that do not usually see the virus. The second, more deadly strain is endemic in central Africa - it is behind the new recently discovered strain in DR Congo. Mpox, or monkeypox, is spread through close contact with infected people. Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain and aching muscles. The infection usually clears up on its own and lasts between 14 and 21 days. Serious cases can see lesions attack the whole of the body, and especially the mouth, eyes and genitals. Mpox spreads from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected - including through sex, skin-to-skin contact and talking or breathing close to another person. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth. It can also be spread through touching objects which have been contaminated by the virus, such as bedding, clothing and towels. Close contact with infected animals, such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, is another route. Most cases are often found in people who are sexually active and men who have sex with men. People with several partners or new sexual partners can be most at risk. But anyone who has close contact with someone with symptoms can catch the virus, including health workers and family members. A therapy designed to treat smallpox can also be useful for treating mpox, but there is limited research on how effective it is. Outbreaks of mpox can be controlled by preventing infections - the best way of doing that is with vaccines. There are three vaccines that exist but only people at risk or who have been in close contact with an infected person are usually able to have it.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cxww2dxr3mko
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A new strain of the mpox virus is spreading quickly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and experts say it is the most dangerous variant they have seen. Mpox, which used to be called monkeypox, is endemic in parts of west and central Africa and cases have been on the rise on the continent for decades. In 2022, a worldwide epidemic of mpox affected Europe, Australia, the US and many other countries. Mpox disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe. The virus was originally transmitted from animals to humans, and is more common in countries close to tropical rainforests. There are two main strains of the virus known to exist. The milder one caused a global outbreak in 2022 which spread to nearly 100 countries that do not usually see the virus. The second, more deadly strain is endemic in central Africa - it is behind the new recently discovered strain in DR Congo. Mpox, or monkeypox, is spread through close contact with infected people. Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain and aching muscles. The infection usually clears up on its own and lasts between 14 and 21 days. Serious cases can see lesions attack the whole of the body, and especially the mouth, eyes and genitals. Mpox spreads from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected - including through sex, skin-to-skin contact and talking or breathing close to another person. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth. It can also be spread through touching objects which have been contaminated by the virus, such as bedding, clothing and towels. Close contact with infected animals, such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, is another route. Most cases are often found in people who are sexually active and men who have sex with men. People with several partners or new sexual partners can be most at risk. But anyone who has close contact with someone with symptoms can catch the virus, including health workers and family members. A therapy designed to treat smallpox can also be useful for treating mpox, but there is limited research on how effective it is. Outbreaks of mpox can be controlled by preventing infections - the best way of doing that is with vaccines. There are three vaccines that exist but only people at risk or who have been in close contact with an infected person are usually able to have it.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cxww2dxr3mko