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There is a new outbreak of the deadly mpox virus in Africa. The WHO has declared a global health emergency. It called for urgent action to curb the virus. The first instance was found in Congo in early June. It has now spread to 13 African nations. Late last week, both Sweden and Pakistan confirmed they had cases. The WHO said there have been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths this year. Europe's Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said imported cases of mpox were "highly likely". However, it said the chances of outbreaks in Europe were "very low".
Mpox is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, and contaminated clothes or bedsheets. It can also spread through being close to someone who sneezes, coughs, or by talking to an infected person. The WHO says mpox is less contagious than Covid-19. This was an airborne virus. Mpox symptoms include rash, fever, and muscle aches. The rash develops into hundreds of pus-filled blisters. These may be itchy or painful. There are insufficient supplies of the mpox vaccine in Africa. Most supplies are in the West. Countries are keeping it to prepare for their own outbreaks.
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