<p>Africa is standing at the cusp of witnessing a massive&nbsp;mpox outbreak, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to convene an urgent meeting to decide whether it constitutes a Public Health Emergency of international concern. At least 15 African countries are reporting an outbreak of mpox cases, including four of those that were previously unaffected — Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.</p>

<p>As per the WHO, the 15 countries have reported 2,030 confirmed cases and 13 deaths so far in 2024. The number of suspected mpox cases this year has risen to over 15,000 in the continent, with more than 500 deaths. This is higher than the overall 1,145 cases and seven deaths reported in the previous year.</p>

<p>WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the United Nations body was concerned about its rapid expansion.</p>

<h2><strong>New variant circulating</strong></h2>

<p>Of all cases, 90 per cent have been reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alone. It’s where a new deadly variant has been circulating since September 2023. As per media reports, the clade 1b variant is crossing borders with a whopping 10 per cent mortality rate in children.</p>

<p>It’s harder to detect, with mutations not being picked up by existing tests. The variant is also believed to have caused dozens of deaths in Burundi, South Africa, and DR Congo.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjJj6CfgeiHAxVZzDgGHVxJMccQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/experts-warn-against-most-dangerous-mpox-strain-spreading-in-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-735351" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/experts-warn-against-most-dangerous-mpox-strain-spreading-in-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-735351&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJj6CfgeiHAxVZzDgGHVxJMccQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">Experts warn against `most dangerous` mpox strain spreading in Democratic Republic of the Congo</a></strong></p>

<p>Scientists now blame this variant for the outbreak in the regions that remained unaffected previously as enough preventive measures are not put in place.</p>

<p>"The most severe and lethal Clade 1 mpox, historically endemic to central Africa, has become predominant and is now found throughout the region," Zeil Rosenberg MD, executive vice president at Tonix Pharmaceuticals which is developing a mpox vaccine, was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.</p>

<h2><strong>About mpox</strong></h2>

<p>The disease generally spreads through direct animal contact, such as virus-carrying squirrels. However, new variants may also spread through human-to-human contact.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;W.H.O convenes emergency meeting over MPOX outbreak; deadly strain on the move in Africa</strong></p>

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<p>This virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. People with mpox often get a rash, along with other symptoms. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Africa is standing at the cusp of witnessing a massive mpox outbreak, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to convene an urgent meeting to decide whether it constitutes a Public Health Emergency of international concern.

Africa is standing at the cusp of witnessing a massive mpox outbreak, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to convene an urgent meeting to decide whether it constitutes a Public Health Emergency of international concern. At least 15 African countries are reporting an outbreak of mpox cases, including four of those that were previously unaffected — Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. As per the WHO, the 15 countries have reported 2,030 confirmed cases and 13 deaths so far in 2024. The number of suspected mpox cases this year has risen to over 15,000 in the continent, with more than 500 deaths. This is higher than the overall 1,145 cases and seven deaths reported in the previous year. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the United Nations body was concerned about its rapid expansion. New variant circulating Of all cases, 90 per cent have been reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alone. It’s where a new deadly variant has been circulating since September 2023. As per media reports, the clade 1b variant is crossing borders with a whopping 10 per cent mortality rate in children. It’s harder to detect, with mutations not being picked up by existing tests. The variant is also believed to have caused dozens of deaths in Burundi, South Africa, and DR Congo. Also read: Experts warn against `most dangerous` mpox strain spreading in Democratic Republic of the Congo Scientists now blame this variant for the outbreak in the regions that remained unaffected previously as enough preventive measures are not put in place. "The most severe and lethal Clade 1 mpox, historically endemic to central Africa, has become predominant and is now found throughout the region," Zeil Rosenberg MD, executive vice president at Tonix Pharmaceuticals which is developing a mpox vaccine, was quoted as saying by Daily Mail. About mpox The disease generally spreads through direct animal contact, such as virus-carrying squirrels. However, new variants may also spread through human-to-human contact. Watch: W.H.O convenes emergency meeting over MPOX outbreak; deadly strain on the move in Africa × This virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. People with mpox often get a rash, along with other symptoms. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. (With inputs from agencies)

Mpox outbreak in Africa: 15 nations report over 15,000 cases; WHO convenes urgent meeting

Beijing is now downplaying its covid19 crisis right ahead of its key meet with WHO later in the day. Chinese scientists are expected to give a briefing to the World Health Organization on the evolution of the virus.

China downplays covid surge, stops publishing real-time covid-data

<p>Taiwan has not yet received an invite to a key World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting this week expected to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic due to "obstruction" from China.</p>

<p>The US mission in Geneva last week urged WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to invite Chinese-claimed but democratically ruled Taiwan to the WHO's decision-making body, the World Health Assembly (WHA). But late on Sunday, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said the island had yet to get an invite to the virtual meeting of 194 member states.</p>

<p>The WHO's refusal to invite Taiwan based on political considerations makes a mockery of the body's "health for all" claim, the ministry said.</p>

<p>Taiwan is locked out of most global organisations such as the WHO due to the objections of China, which considers the island one of its provinces with no right to the trappings of a sovereign state.</p>

<p>The WHO says it is up to member states whether to invite Taiwan, which has been praised internationally for quickly containing the coronavirus, to observe the WHA meeting.</p>

<p>Backed by the United States, Taiwan has stepped up lobbying this year to take part, angering China.</p>

<p>China's mission to the United Nations in Geneva had earlier denounced the "distorted" US remarks on Taiwan, saying the island can only take part if it admits to being part of China, something Taipei's government has refused to do.</p>

<p>The WHO says it cooperates with Taiwan on various health matters including on aspects of the pandemic and that the island has been provided with the help it needs.</p>


Taiwan has not yet received an invite to a key World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting this week expected to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic due to "obstruction" from China.

Taiwan has not yet received an invite to a key World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting this week expected to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic due to "obstruction" from China. The US mission in Geneva last week urged WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to invite Chinese-claimed but democratically ruled Taiwan to the WHO's decision-making body, the World Health Assembly (WHA). But late on Sunday, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said the island had yet to get an invite to the virtual meeting of 194 member states. The WHO's refusal to invite Taiwan based on political considerations makes a mockery of the body's "health for all" claim, the ministry said. Taiwan is locked out of most global organisations such as the WHO due to the objections of China, which considers the island one of its provinces with no right to the trappings of a sovereign state. The WHO says it is up to member states whether to invite Taiwan, which has been praised internationally for quickly containing the coronavirus, to observe the WHA meeting. Backed by the United States, Taiwan has stepped up lobbying this year to take part, angering China. China's mission to the United Nations in Geneva had earlier denounced the "distorted" US remarks on Taiwan, saying the island can only take part if it admits to being part of China, something Taipei's government has refused to do. The WHO says it cooperates with Taiwan on various health matters including on aspects of the pandemic and that the island has been provided with the help it needs.

Taiwan is yet to receive invite to key WHO meeting

he United Nations Security Council will hold a closed session on Thursday to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, the first time the powerful UN organ is holding a meeting on coronavirus that has killed more than 74,000 people

UNSC to discuss Coronavirus pandemic

The World Health Organization announced Monday that it would convene an expert panel to determine whether a fast-developing outbreak caused by a new virus in China should be declared a global health emergency.

WHO Calls for Emergency Meeting as Chinese Virus Spreads

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Mpox outbreak in Africa: 15 nations report over 15,000 cases; WHO convenes urgent meeting

China downplays covid surge, stops publishing real-time covid-data

Taiwan is yet to receive invite to key WHO meeting

UNSC to discuss Coronavirus pandemic

WHO Calls for Emergency Meeting as Chinese Virus Spreads