New mpox strain in DR Congo ‘most dangerous yet’

Health officials are very concerned about a new strain of the mpox virus that is spreading rapidly along the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The virus, which can create sores all over the body, is making a lot of people very sick and has the potential to be fatal.

The current spread of the disease is primarily due to sexual contact, but there is proof that this particular variant can also be transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact.

International health professionals warn that the new mutation could increase the risk of the virus spreading across borders and to different countries. One expert describes it as the most hazardous variant to date.

In 2022, a global outbreak of mpox was successfully managed by administering vaccines to at-risk populations.