Who Highlights The Seriousness Of The Symptoms And Declares The Mpox Outbreak In The Congo A Worldwide Emergency

The current mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding African nations has been formally designated as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO). The severity of the outbreak is highlighted by this announcement, which is the highest level of worldwide health alert, especially in light of the unsettling symptoms linked to the virus.

The viral disease known as mpox typically starts with fever, headache, sore muscles, and enlarged lymph nodes. But the skin lesions and rashes that appear are the most noticeable and alarming signs. Although the face and hands are where these lesions usually begin, they can also progress to the chest and limbs.

The lesions start off as flat patches and develop into raised bumps that are filled with clear or yellowish fluid. Eventually, the lesions crust up. It can take many weeks to complete this process. From the moment symptoms appear until the lesions have completely crusted over, the scabs have come off, and new skin has grown, an individual with mpox is thought to be contagious.

Large respiratory droplets, direct contact with bodily fluids, skin sores, and infected objects like bedding or clothing are the main ways that the virus is spread. This makes direct physical contact with an infected person a major risk factor for the disease spreading, especially when the lesions are open or bleeding.