Editor’s note: This story was published in August 2024. Some details may have changed since then.

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The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that the mpox outbreak in Africa has become a global health emergency.

A deadlier strain of the virus, clade Ib, is spreading quickly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has reached at least four previously unaffected countries in Africa. The risk of additional international spread is “very worrying,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Mpox is a viral disease related to the smallpox virus. According to the CDC, in the current mpox outbreak, the virus is spreading primarily through sexual contact; however, infections have occurred through other exposures, including non-sexual contact with infectious lesions.​ It can spread through close contact such as touching, kissing, sex, as well as through contaminated materials like sheets, clothing and needles.

Direct contact with sores, scabs, or body fluids of an infected person is the primary method of spread; but, it also may spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face or intimate contact with an infected person. 

Mpox typically begins with a fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, respiratory symptoms (e.g., sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough), exhaustion, and a rash.  The illness usually lasts 2-4 weeks and infected persons are considered contagious while symptoms are present. Those concerned about mpox should contact their healthcare providers.​

KENTUCKY CASE DATA HERE

Take the following steps to avoid getting mpox:

• Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has a rash that looks like mpox.
• Have conversations with partners before close contact. 
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have intimate contact with someone with mpox.
• Do not share food, beverages, dishes, cups/glasses or eating utensils with someone who has mpox.
• Do not handle or touch bedding, towels or clothing used or worn by someone with mpox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

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