mpox

A more severe strain of mpox has been detected in the U.S. for the first time

5:08am November 18, 2024

The patient was traveling from East Africa, where the mpox disease is endemic. The CDC says the strain does not present a high risk to the general population.

The end of smallpox was ... the beginning for mpox

7:41am October 08, 2024

Wiping out smallpox had an unintended consequence: the rise of mpox in the past few years. Here's the story — starting with patient zero for mpox back in 1970.

World Leaders Speak At The 79th Session Of The United Nations General Assembly In New York

Biden pledges mpox aid to Africa in his valedictory speech to the United Nations

12:32pm September 24, 2024

President Biden talked about the sweeping changes he has seen during his long career, urged an end to wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, and said "some things are more important than staying in power."

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First doses of mpox vaccines arrive at the heart of Africa's outbreak. What took so long?

3:25pm September 05, 2024

Congo has over 20,000 cases of mpox and hundreds of deaths, mostly in children, but zero vaccines until now. A planeload of doses donated from the EU landed in Kinshasa on Thursday.

The palms of a patient with mpox during an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. The country is now seeing a dramatic spike in mpox — with a strain that is deadlier than the one that sparked the global outbreak in 2022.

Health & Safety

WHO declares 2024 mpox surge a 'public health emergency of international concern'

5:15pm August 14, 2024

by Gabrielle Emanuel

"What we're seeing is tip of the iceberg" because of weaknesses in the surveillance system, says Dr. Dimie Ogoina, chair of the WHO's emergency committee.

FILE PHOTO: Children at risk as mpox variant hits Congo displacement camps

Alarmed by mpox surge, Africa CDC declares a 'continental emergency'

10:34am August 09, 2024

by Gabrielle Emanuel

This is the first time Africa CDC has announced a "continental emergency." The World Health Organization is considering a similar declaration.

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South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla Briefs The Media On Mpox Outbreak

Health & Safety

Mpox did not fade away. Africa faces two alarming outbreaks -- and lacks vaccines

10:48am July 17, 2024

by Melody Schreiber

The Global North has moved on from the mpox scare of 2022. The Global South is seeing outbreaks — and lacks the tools to address stem the virus.

The Imvanex vaccine is one of two available vaccines that are used to protect against the mpox virus. Vaccines were widely used during the 2022 mpox outbreak. But currently no vaccines are available in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has reported thousands of cases so far this year.

Health & Safety

DRC is seeing its worst mpox outbreak — but has no vaccines or treatments yet. Why?

2:36pm April 26, 2024

by Gabrielle Emanuel

With nearly 5,000 cases reported so far this year — and concerns about a new strain — the Democratic Republic of Congo is considering the declaration of a public health emergency.

The doctor who warned the world of the mpox outbreak of 2022 is still worried

10:24am July 05, 2023

by Max Barnhart

Is the mpox emergency over or is there still cause for concern? Numbers are down, but some specialists are still concerned about the likelihood of another outbreak.

Student pharmacist Charles Liu administered a dose of mpox vaccine at a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health clinic in West Hollywood, Calif., last August.

Health & Safety

Vaccination and awareness could help keep mpox in check this summer

7:49am June 04, 2023

by Pien Huang

Health officials say more vaccination, testing and awareness among people at high risk for infection with mpox could curb a potential resurgence in the U.S.