There is an outbreak of the deadly mpox virus in Africa. The WHO declared a global health emergency. It called for action to curb the virus. The first case was in Congo in June. It has now spread to 13 African nations. Last week, Sweden and Pakistan reported cases. The WHO said there have been 524 deaths this year. A spokesperson in Europe said imported cases of mpox were likely. It said the chances of outbreaks in Europe were low.

Mpox is spread through skin-to-skin contact and contaminated clothes or bedsheets. It can also spread through sneezes, coughs, or by talking to an infected person. Mpox is less contagious than Covid-19. Mpox symptoms include rash, fever, and muscle aches. The rash develops into hundreds of itchy and painful blisters. There are insufficient supplies of the mpox vaccine in Africa. Most supplies are in the West.