The new strain of the mpox virus is spreading quickly along the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo and is “ the most dangerous yet ”, says the World Health Organization. The current outbreak has been driven by sexual transmission but there is evidence this strain can also be passed on through close skin-to-skin contact. Those now being infected include schoolchildren, healthcare workers and entire households.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, an outbreak has killed three people so far. Border authorities are screening travellers into and out of the country. Virologist Cheryl Walter explains the history of mpox, the symptoms and why we should be worried about virulent virus mutations.
Symptoms of mpox start off being quite vague – fatigue, aches, fever, headache, respiratory symptoms and a rash. The rash symptom is a useful differentiator from other common viral illnesses. With mpox, the rash can be itchy and painful and quickly develops into fluid-filled blisters that then scab over.
The fluid in these blisters is infectious and mpox can be spread by sharing towels or toothbrushes, for example. Some people have only a few blisters and they might be hard to see, depending on where they are on the body. And some people have no symptoms .
While treatment for mpox is mainly supportive (such as rest, hydration and pain relief), people who are hospitalised with severe mpox can be treated with broad spectrum antivirals and monitored more closely. By genetically analy.
