The Republic of the Congo has officially declared an epidemic of mpox after confirming 19 cases across five departments, including the capital city of Brazzaville.
According to Health Minister Gilbert Mokoki, although no fatalities have been reported as of Tuesday, he urged the public to take precautions such as avoiding close contact with suspected cases, refraining from contact with animals, and abstaining from handling game meat with bare hands.
In an effort to mitigate the stigma and racism associated with the term “monkeypox,” the World Health Organization (WHO) has rebranded the virus as mpox.
Mpox, which was initially identified in humans in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, presents symptoms such as fever, body aches, and skin lesions. The WHO declared the virus as a global health emergency in 2020 when an outbreak spread to Europe and North America.
Melissa Enoch
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