Recent developments regarding the Mpox virus reveal that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan reported its first suspected case on Thursday, according to a health ministry official cited by the national daily, Dawn.
This announcement came just one day after Sweden reported the first global case of monkeypox, known as Mpox, for the year 2024.
With a total of 14,000 cases recorded, health officials are increasingly concerned about the possibility of the virus spreading beyond Africa.
Here are the latest updates on the Mpox virus:
1) The epidemic is primarily concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounts for 96% of all cases.
2) Following the identification of cases internationally, the World Health Organization declared the virus a global health emergency.
3) The Pakistani patient, a man who returned from Saudi Arabia on August 3, is currently under quarantine while his sample is awaiting confirmation testing.
4) Experts are alarmed that without proactive measures, the Mpox virus could potentially lead to a pandemic on the scale of COVID-19.
What is the Mpox virus and how does it spread?
According to the World Health Organization, the Mpox virus has caused 524 deaths this year, suggesting a mortality rate of about 3.87%, with one in 26 individuals succumbing to the illness.
Mpox is related to the smallpox virus and primarily spreads through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects.
Milder symptoms include fever, chills, and body aches, while more serious cases can lead to skin lesions, sores, and ulcers.
Which demographic is most affected by Mpox?
In 2022, a major outbreak predominantly impacted gay and bisexual men, who contracted the virus through intimate contact. However, current statistics indicate that more than 70% of Mpox cases and 85% of deaths in the Congo are among children under the age of 15.
Why is the identification of the new Mpox variant more challenging?
Scientists note that the latest version of the Mpox virus tends to affect genital areas rather than the hands or chest, making it harder to identify and increasing the risk of transmission.