Monkeypox, a viral disease that can be fatal, is spreading in Congo with a mortality rate of up to 10%. According to John Claude Udahemuka, a professor at the University of Rwanda, the new strain is highly contagious and has mutations in the monkeypox branch I that has been present in the Democratic Republic of Congo for many years. This strain is considered particularly dangerous, with a mortality rate of about 5% in adults and 10% in children compared to the old strain’s mortality rate of about 1%.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been approximately 8,600 cases of monkeypox in Congo, resulting in 410 deaths. The United Nations health agency has raised concerns that the epidemic could potentially spread to other countries. The new strain is believed to be spreading through sexual contact, especially among sex workers, with researchers also studying transmission routes from caregivers to children. In addition to causing rashes and other symptoms, monkeypox can lead to miscarriages in women.
Monkeypox poses a significant public health challenge globally. WHO projects that between 2021-2023, there will be 92,000 infections and 167 deaths from monkeypox worldwide. The disease mainly affects men who have sex with men and individuals with multiple partners. Although most cases have mild symptoms, some can be fatal. Initially reported cases were concentrated in the US and some European countries before spreading globally. Vietnam reported its first case of monkeypox last October; by January this year, more than 68 cases and six deaths had been recorded by the Ministry of Health among patients with HIV infection. Several other localities have also reported cases of monkeypox.
Experts urge vigilance and preventative measures to limit monkeypox’s spread and impact on vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and young children who are more susceptible to severe illness or death from this disease.
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