Mpox Declared Global Health Emergency

Source: Xinhua News Agency / Getty

GENEVA, Switzerland — The World Health Organization is declaring mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a global public health emergency.

This comes following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has spread across west and central Africa.

Mpox most commonly features symptoms like rashes, fevers, sores, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes. In severe cases, though, it can lead to long-term complications or death.

The disease can be spread through direct contact with infected persons or items like needles. In some cases, it can also be spread from contaminated animals to people.

This is the second time in two years that the WHO has declared a global public health emergency for the disease.