NEWS – The World Health Organization confirmed that a case of the viral infection mpox in Sweden was linked to an outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent a day after the WHO declared the disease a global public health emergency.

MPOX  

• Viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
• First human case recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• Types of Mpox Virus: Two known types (clades): Central Africa origin (Clade I) and West Africa origin (Clade II).
• Symptoms:
  • Skin rash or mucosal lesions lasting 2–4 weeks.
  • Accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Transmission: Human-to-human transmission via direct contact with body fluids, lesions, prolonged face-to-face contact, including sexual contact, and indirect contact with contaminated items.
• Treatment:
  • No specific treatments available.
  • Early supportive care is crucial for symptom management and preventing complications.