Alarm the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a state of emergency in Africa due to monkeypox outbreaks.

The highly contagious disease mpox – formerly known as monkey pox – has killed at least 450 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The BBC in an informative report gives answers to questions about the disease

What is mpox and what are the symptoms?

Mpox is caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox, but is usually much less harmful.
It was originally transmitted from animals to humans but now it also passes between humans.
Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swelling, back pain and muscle pain.

Once the fever subsides, a rash may appear. It often starts on the face before spreading to other parts of the body, most commonly the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The rash, which can be extremely itchy or painful, changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off. May cause scarring.
The infection can clear up on its own and lasts from 14 to 21 days.

But in some cases it is fatal, particularly for vulnerable groups, including young children.
Severe cases can see lesions affecting the entire body, especially the mouth, eyes and genitals.

In which countries is mpox spreading?

Mpox is most common in remote villages in the rainforests of West and Central Africa, in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where it has been seen for many years.
In these areas, there are thousands of infections and hundreds of deaths from the disease annually, with children under the age of 15 being the most affected.
Currently, there are many different outbreaks happening at the same time – mainly in the DRC and neighboring countries.
The disease has recently been observed in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya, where it is not normally endemic.

How is it transmitted?

It is spread from person to person through close contact with an infected person – including sex, skin-to-skin contact, and talking or breathing near the sick 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 contact with objects contaminated with the virus, such as bedding, clothing and towels.
Close contact with infected animals, such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, is another route.
During the global outbreak in 2022, the virus spread primarily through sexual contact.
Current cases in DR Congo are due to sexual contact and other forms of intimate contact.
It has been found in other vulnerable communities, including young children.

Who are at risk?

Anyone in close contact with someone with symptoms can catch the virus, including health care workers and family members.
Experts are studying the situation to understand more about who is most at risk.
Young children may be among the groups that are particularly vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing and many in the region have poor nutrition, making it harder to fight disease.
Some experts suggest that younger children may be at risk because of the way they play and interact closely with each other.
They also won’t have access to the smallpox vaccine, discontinued more than four decades ago, which can offer older people some protection.
Anyone with a weakened immune system may also be more susceptible to the disease, and there is concern that pregnant women may be at greater risk.
Advice is to avoid close contact with anyone with mpox and wash your hands with soap and water if the virus is in your community.
Those with mpox should isolate themselves from others until all their lesions are gone.
Condoms should be used prophylactically when having sex for 12 weeks after recovery, says the WHO.

Is there an mpox vaccine?

Vaccines exist, but only people who are at risk or who have been in close contact with an infected person can usually get them.
There is real concern that there is insufficient funding for vaccines to reach everyone in need.
The WHO recently asked drug manufacturers to recommend their vaccines for emergency use, even if those vaccines are not officially approved.

Now that Africa’s CDC has declared a continent-wide public health emergency, it is hoped that governments will be able to better coordinate their response and potentially increase the flow of medical supplies and aid to affected areas.