Monkeypox has grabbed global attention this year, due to the new strain which is virulent and spreads faster than its ancestors. The concern around the new mpox strain can be estimated from the fact that a month before, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had issued its highest level of warning for it. This year, mpox has been found in countries where it was not found earlier.
Mpox, which was traditionally reported from central and west African countries, is now being seen in several other countries and that is a big concern. "In 2022, an outbreak erupted and became global, when the disease spread to many countries that had never seen the virus before. What is happening in 2024 is a large number of cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo including the appearance of a new virus strand clade Ib, which is spreading fast from person to person. Unlike the outbreak in 2022, where it was affecting mostly men who have sex with men, this time it is affecting everybody, women, men and children," said Dr Abdou Salam Gueye, from WHO Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo.
