The epidemic of MPOX viral disease and, in particular, the spread of a new variant of the virus that causes it continues to be at risk of public health of international importance. Based on the recommendation of independent experts, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided on Thursday, which left the warning of this epidemic at the highest possible level. Informed DPA.
The WHO declared a state of threat to international importance in August 2024, when the new variant of the virus spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to neighboring states. The aim of the announcement is to increase alertness, improve readiness and prevention of a given disease in states at global level.
According to the WHO, the situation has not yet improved. The number of cases is increasing and the virus spreads further. The situation is worsened by new fighting in the east of the KDR, where the new variant known as Clade 1b has been spreading since 2024. The European Center for Prevention and Control of Diseases (ECDC) assesses the overall risk of spreading the Clade 1b variant in Europe as low.
The disease, previously known as the Monkey Small, has been endemic in West and Central Africa for more than 50 years. Its widespread spread occurred in 2022, when it reached Europe, the United States and other parts of the world.
Mpox is transmitted from animals and can spread among people
MPOX is an infectious disease that is transmitted from animals either by physical contact (bite, scratches, contact with body fluids or in the preparation of wild animals), or indirectly objects contaminated by animals. Transmission from person to person occurs with close physical contact or indirectly, such as contaminated bed linen, towels and the like.
Symptoms of MPOX include rashes, fever, chills, lymph node swelling, exhaustion, muscle, back and head pain, as well as respiratory symptoms. MPOX deaths are rare in countries with advanced health.
