Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said in a statement that 450 people have lost their lives due to the M-pox epidemic since the beginning of the year, and 11,166 people have been diagnosed with M-pox.
Emphasizing that M smallpox cases are increasing exponentially every day, Muyaya warned that there is a risk of the epidemic spreading to neighboring countries.
SEEN IN 26 STATES
M smallpox cases were detected in 23 of the 26 provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa’s second largest country.
“THE MOST DANGEROUS VARIANT EVER”
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on July 5 that the new variant of the M pox virus was spreading rapidly on the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo and was “the most dangerous variant yet.”
SEXUALLY TRIGGED
WHO reported that the M smallpox outbreak was initially triggered by sexual transmission, that there was evidence that this new variant could also be transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact, and warned that this would increase the speed and potential impact of the virus’ spread.
According to WHO data, more than 3,100 cases of M smallpox have been seen worldwide since the beginning of the year.
The M pox virus, which has a mortality rate of about 5 percent, can cause high fever and itchy blisters on the body, chills, headache, muscle aches, weakness and death.
Source: AA