2024-04-21 17:30:02
An international team of epidemiologists discovered a “mutated strain” of the “monkeypox MPXV” virus, confirming the recording of numerous infections and warning of its spread worldwide.
According to the Daily Mail, “The mutant strain was found in the poor and densely populated town of Kamituga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and 108 cases were recorded.”
According to the newspaper, “It is believed that the new variant appeared between July and September 2023, first in animals and then transmitted to humans.”
The researchers called for “urgent measures to be taken to contain the virus and avoid a global outbreak.”
“Without intervention, this local outbreak in Kamitoga has the potential to spread nationally and internationally,” they wrote in the paper.
They added: “Given the recent history of smallpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we call for rapid action by affected countries and the international community to avoid another global smallpox outbreak.”
The researchers warned that “the local healthcare infrastructure is not equipped to deal with a large-scale epidemic,” calling for “the rollout of vaccines and medicines and the deployment of control measures in the region.”
It is noteworthy that the virus is a descendant of the more deadly MPXV 1 strain, and kills up to 10% of those infected. Smallpox caused a global epidemic in 2022 when it spread to more than 100 countries and killed hundreds of people.
Last updated: April 19, 2024 – 17:55
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2024-04-21 17:30:02