WHO has declared the mpox outbreak as a global public health emergency with an upsurge of cases in Africa
Outside Africa, Sweden and Pakistan confirmed cases of mpox. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus
Over 18,700 mpox cases have been reported in Africa since January. A new form of the virus, clade Ib, triggered the global concern
Clade Ib mpox cases were reported in countries including Sweden, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya
Experts opine that there is a possibility for mpox to be another pandemic but it wouldn't be as bad as Covid
The mpox outbreaks of clade I have killed up to 10 per cent of people who become sick
Mpox is spread through close contact with people who have the illness. Skin-to-skin contact, including sex, kissing and touching could lead to the spread
The illness can also be spread through respiratory droplets. People remain infectious until all of their sores heal | Reuters, AP