This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency due to monkeypox.
More than 18,700 monkeypox cases have been detected in Africa this year, says the African Union Health Organization.
The figure includes both confirmed and suspected cases of all strains of the virus, not just the newer variant of monkeypox. Monkey pox has caused a total of more than 500 deaths in African Union member countries this year.
This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency due to monkeypox.
The new variant is more contagious and more deadly than the previously widespread version of the disease.