An Mpox epidemic has been declared in the Republic of Congo. This comes after 19 cases were confirmed across five states including the country’s capital, Brazzaville.
Although no deaths have been recorded, the country’s health minister, Gilbert Mokoki, called on the general public to be cautious and avoid close contact with suspected cases, animals and handling game meat with bare hands.
Mpox formerly known as Monkeypox had its name changed by the World Health Organization (WHO) after the disease name birthed stigma and racism.
It was first detected in 1970 among humans in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The symptoms include fever, skin lesions and fever.
Last year, the WHO declared it an outbreak after it spread to Europe and North America making it a global health emergency.