Rising mpox cases in Africa could pose threat to US health

The increasing number of reported suspected mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo poses a global threat for potential spread, according to a May report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Compared with the monkeypox virus, which caused the 2022 global mpox outbreak, a new strain can result in more victims with severe illness and higher mortality.

The CDC recommends that U.S. clinicians and public health practitioners be alert for possible cases in travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Appropriate medical treatment is critical given the potential for severe illness, and contact tracing and containment strategies, including isolation, behavior modification and vaccination, will be important to prevent a spread in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Read more: CDC

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