Dangers of Monkeypox Outbreak in East Africa

Monkeypox outbreak in East African region prompts government mission to educate citizens about dangers of the disease.
EAC released a statement in Arusha, Tanzania, regarding the mpox outbreak in Burundi and the DRC.
More than 21,000 cases of mpox documented in the DRC since 2022, with over 1000 deaths.

The World Health Organization WHO, has identified an mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. This has prompted the governments in the region to educate their population how to protect themselves and stop the spread of mpox (monkeypox), an infectious illness caused by the mpox virus.

To this effect, the EAC released a statement in its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, as reported by The East African.

According to the statement, Burundi reported three cases of mpox in the country's western area, which were confirmed by national laboratories and the WHO. According to the WHO, more than 21,000 cases of mpox have been documented in the DRC since 2022, with over 1000 deaths.

Burundi borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania, whereas the DRC borders five EAC member states: Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan.

Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, the EAC deputy secretary-general in charge of infrastructural, productive, social, and political sectors, emphasized the necessity of taking preventative steps to mitigate the spread of the virus.

"EAC member states must provide the necessary information on the disease and take preventive measures," he stated.

mpox

Monkey pox is a rare disease caused by monkeypox virus [WHO] Pulse Nigeria

According to the World Health Organization; “Mpox (monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.

Anyone can get mpox. It spreads from contact with infected: persons, through touch, kissing, or sex animals, when hunting, skinning, or cooking them materials, such as contaminated sheets, clothes or needles pregnant persons, who may pass the virus on to their unborn baby.”

Dangerous variant of mpox

As reported earlier in July revealed that there is a deadly and fast-spreading new strain of mpox, which caused panic amongst global health officials.

According to John Claude Udahemuka, a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, The new virus which has caused blindness and miscarriages is "undoubtedly the most dangerous of all the known strains of mpox."

An earlier, milder variant of mpox, classified as clade IIb, spread globally in 2022, affecting roughly 32,000 people across the United States and causing the death of 58 of them. It caused the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency, which ended last year.

The new virus originally appeared in a remote part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in September and has since moved to places along Rwanda's border with Burundi and Uganda.

7 ways to prevent suicide

The real reason woman hasn't cut her fingernails in 27 years - it's the world longest [Copy]

Exclusive: Showmax unveils an All-new Nigerian Original Fashion Competition to premiere this October

Mark Your Calendar: Akada Children's Book Festival returns for its 6th edition Oct 26

Why seatbelt usage could save more lives than you think

Constipation and other unexpected causes of colon cancer

What language do deaf people think in?

The real reason woman hasn't cut her fingernails in 27 years - it's the world longest

Is she single or just mad at her boyfriend? Here are 5 ways to know

Inside the launch of bold, playful new collection by Desperados x Cruise Gang

Why women can be pregnant without any symptoms until the baby is born

Here’s why dogs can’t eat chocolate

Pulse Sports

The alarm bells sounds in East Africa over a Monkeypox (mpox) outbreak

Recommended articles