Recent developments regarding the Mpox virus indicate that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan reported its first suspected case of the virus on Thursday, as mentioned by a health ministry official in the national daily Dawn. This announcement comes just one day after Sweden confirmed its first case of monkeypox in 2024.
So far, approximately 14,000 cases of the virus have been recorded, raising alarm about its potential to spread beyond Africa.
Key points regarding the spread of the Mpox virus include:
1) The majority of cases, around 96%, are concentrated in the central African nation of Congo.
2) The World Health Organization declared the virus a worldwide health emergency, a decision made a day after the confirmation of cases globally.
3) The suspected Pakistani patient, a man who returned from Saudi Arabia on August 3, has been quarantined, and his sample is undergoing laboratory testing for confirmation.
4) Experts are concerned that without proactive measures, the Mpox virus could escalate into a pandemic comparable to Covid-19.
Regarding the nature of the Mpox virus, the WHO reports that it has resulted in 524 fatalities this year, suggesting that approximately 3.87% of those infected may die from the disease. The virus, related to smallpox, is transmitted via contact with infected objects and animals. Initial symptoms can include fever, chills, and body aches, while severe cases may develop skin lesions such as sores and ulcers.
Historical data shows that a notable outbreak occurred in 2022, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men through intimate contact. However, current statistics indicate that over 70% of Mpox cases and 85% of deaths in Congo involve children under the age of 15.
Scientists highlight that the latest variant of the virus presents challenges in identification, as it now appears to be targeting genital areas rather than the hands or chest, thus increasing the risk of transmission.