The monkeypox virus is spreading rapidly in African countries. The Science Journal has warned that the virus could spread across the continent. After first being reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it has spread to Uganda and Kenya.

The monkeypox virus is spreading rapidly in African countries. The scientific journal Science has expressed serious concern over this. This virus, which first appeared in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has now reached Uganda and Kenya. It is feared that it may spread to the entire African continent.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also shown seriousness on this issue. The organization may soon declare it a global health emergency. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on Twitter that he is considering forming an International Health Rules Emergency Committee. Its purpose is to decide whether it is necessary to declare a global health emergency amid the growing threat.

The WHO chief said in his post that efforts are being made to stop the transmission of monkeypox in collaboration with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He also said that there is a lack of funds to implement all the measures needed to stop this virus. However, the Permanent Representative Committee of the African Union has released $ 10.4 million from the Covid Fund for the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is the monkeypox virus?

Monkeypox outbreaks have been seen in the DRC before. The government also declared a national emergency in the year 2022. The monkeypox virus is a viral infection that can cause skin rashes, headaches, fever, and other symptoms. It is an infectious disease that can spread from animals to humans. It is a communicable disease that can spread through contact with an infected person. It can last for 2 to 4 weeks. Avoiding contact with an infected person and vaccination are the main ways to prevent this disease.

According to the World Health Organisation, the monkeypox virus can also cause other health complications, including pneumonia, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, corneal infection with loss of vision, etc. It can also cause inflammation of the brain, heart, and rectum. People with HIV and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of complications due to the monkeypox virus. Since the beginning of this year, South Africa has reported about 14,250 cases and more than 450 deaths. More than 96 percent of monkeypox cases are in the DRC.