Countries That Confirmed Cases Of New Mpox Variant (image@WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), its highest level of alert, due to a new variant of mpox viral disease in Africa. The organisation said that mpox cases have been found in 13 African countries and its new form is spreading. It is the second time in two years the organisation has issued the alert for the disease.

The warning came after an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which has spread to neighbouring countries. The disease transmits through close contact. It causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. While it is usually mild, it can be fatal in rare cases.

Today, the Emergency Committee on #mpox met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice.@WHO is on the ground, working with the affected countries, and others at risk, through our…

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) August 14, 2024

The new form of the virus, which is called as clade Ib, triggered global concern as it seems to be spreading quickly and little is known about the strain. The recent outbreak began with a strain known as clade I, but the new variant clade Ib appears to be spreading more easily.

The recent outbreak has seen 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths since January 2023, largely among children.

Also Read: What Is Mpox That Forced WHO To Declare Global Health Emergency?

Countries that reported the mpox outbreak include,

Sweden

On August 15 Global health officials confirmed an infection with a new strain of the mpox virus in Sweden, the first sign of its spread outside the African continent.

Swedish health officials said at a press conference that the person was infected while in Africa with the clade Ib type of mpox involved in the recent outbreak. The person is receiving treatment.

Burundi

Burundi’s Ministry of Health has investigated and confirmed 61 cases of clade Ib mpox distributed across several districts as of August 9. No deaths had been documented at the time of reporting, said WHO data.

Kenya

Kenya’s health ministry confirmed one case of clade Ib mpox on July 29, the first-ever case of mpox identified in the country. No deaths had been reported as of August 8, according to WHO data.

Also Read: Covid-19: WHO Issues Urgent Alert As Cases Rise Across 84 Nations

Rwanda

As of August 7, four confirmed clade Ib mpox cases and zero deaths had been reported by the country, said WHO.

Uganda

Two cases of clade Ib mpox were identified in Uganda, the first confirmed mpox cases to be identified in the country. Investigations revealed that transmission occurred outside Uganda and no secondary transmission had been linked to the two cases as of August 2.