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A section of skin tissue, harvested from a lesion on the skin of a monkey, that had been infected with mpox virus
Image: CDC/REUTERSImage: CDC/REUTERS

Mpox

A disease caused by an infectious virus, mpox can occur in several animals, including humans. Cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems.

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All Content on this topic

A test tube labelled 'Mpox virus positive' is held in this illustration

Mpox: German school temporarily closed after case reported

Contacts have been informed after several members of a family were found to have contracted mpox.
HealthDecember 16, 2024
Doctors attend to a child as her mother carries her.

Deadly mystery illness has DR Congo on alert

With no precise diagnosis, health officials are scrambling to find out whether the new illness is viral or bacterial.
HealthDecember 8, 2024
A test tube labelled "Mpox virus positive"

US reports first case of new mpox variant

The individual was treated and is now isolating at home.
HealthNovember 17, 2024
This colorized electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2024 shows Mpox virus particles

Germany detects first mpox variant Ib case

An infection with the new mpox variant Ib has been detected for the first time in Germany.
HealthOctober 22, 2024
Offiicials stand near mpox vaccines as first batches arrive at N'Djili International Airport in Kinshasa, DR Congo

Mpox vaccination drive faces hurdles in DR Congo

Some residents are suspicious of the vaccine — or aren't aware of it at all.
HealthOctober 19, 202401:56 min
Grindr-App-Symbol vor LGBTQ+-Flagge: Dating-Plattform für queere Community

Data protection in the times of mpox and HIV

Grindr provides direct, in-app information on mpox and HIV.
Digital WorldOctober 19, 202402:52 min
Closeup of the face of a cotton top tamarin monkey, critically endangered animal specie

Hong Kong zoo seeks answers after 9 monkeys mysteriously die

The Hong Kong zoo has closed off part of its grounds as it scrambles to solve the mysterious monkey deaths.
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 15, 2024
Health care workers take measures at a medical facility as the fight against mpox continues in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on August 30, 2024

Congo launches its first mpox vaccination drive

The Democratic Republic of Congo a recorded nearly a thousand deaths and more than 30,000 mpox cases.
HealthOctober 5, 2024
An arm of a patient suffering from mpox visible with a medical worker treating it

WHO approves first mpox diagnostic test

The UN health agency said the test would allow health workers to detect the mpox virus faster and more easily.
HealthOctober 4, 2024
A pair of gloved hands tests a patient for mpox

Mpox on the rise in Africa: Are there enough vaccines?

An alarming surge in mpox cases has hit Africa, with more than 32,000 suspected infections recorded.
HealthSeptember 27, 2024
People showing symptoms of mpox in South Kivu, Congo, East Africa

Congo: Displaced people caught between conflict and crisis

In eastern Congo, people are trapped between fighting in their villages and overcrowded camps with rampant mpox.
ConflictsSeptember 26, 2024
Pravin Gordhan

AfricaLink News September 13, 2024

Germany signs migration deal with Kenya +++ Former South African finance minister Pravin Gordhan dies +++
SocietySeptember 13, 202403:13 min
A nurse taking a sample from a young mpox patient in South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Africa CDC urges West to 'rebuild trust' with mpox response

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is raising funds for an mpox vaccination program.
HealthSeptember 12, 2024
A smallpox and monkeypox vaccination box

India detects 1st suspected mpox case

India's health ministry said it was fully prepared to deal with "an isolated travel related case."
HealthSeptember 8, 2024
This file photo taken on August 9, 2022 shows vials of the JYNNEOS Monkeypox vaccine are prepared at a pop-up vaccination clinic in Los Angeles

EU sends first load of mpox vaccines to Congo

The European Union has delivered the first batch of 100,000 mpox vaccines to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
HealthSeptember 6, 202401:00 min
A mother applies medication to her child's head in a bed in DR Congo

Mpox doses to start to arrive in Congo

A cargo plane carrying many thousands of mpox vaccines is set to arrive in Congo — at the epicenter of the mpox crisis.
HealthSeptember 5, 2024
View of a mother applying medication on the skin of her child

Mpox in Africa: Symptoms, stopping its spread and treatment

What are the symptoms of mpox, what are the treatments, and how can you protect yourself from the virus?
HealthSeptember 3, 202402:51 min
WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (left) smiles as he shakes hands with DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi

Mpox vaccines to arrive in DRC within days: WHO

The chief of the UN's health agency says he hopes the mpox outbreak can be stopped in the next six months.
HealthAugust 30, 2024
View of a person's right arm strewn with Mpox blisters

Can the spread of mpox be curbed?

The new strain of the virus has spread across parts of Africa, with cases also being reported outside the continent.
HealthAugust 30, 202403:00 min
A health worker attends to a mpox patient.

Mpox outbreak: Congo lacks vaccines to curb infections

Experts say there is still hope of breaking the chain of mpox transmission.
HealthAugust 30, 2024
DR Kongo | Mpox Fälle in Süd-Kivu

Mpox overwhelms Congo's South Kivu province

Medical facilities in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo are waiting for vaccines to arrive.
HealthAugust 29, 202401:32 min
Mpox outbreak in South Kivu.

Congo 'working blindly' in attempts to control Mpox outbreak

Low Mpox testing rates in DR Congo suggests true number of cases could be five times higher than reported.
HealthAugust 28, 2024
A person wearing surgical gloves and scrubs administers an mpox vaccine injection

Germany to donate Africa 100,000 mpox vaccine doses

The World Health Organization says the spread of the disease "can be stopped."
HealthAugust 26, 2024
DR Kongo | Mpox Fälle in Süd-Kivu

WHO leaders meet in Congo to discuss Mpox

Denmark shuts embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso following coups +++ WHO leaders meet in Congo to discuss Mpox
HealthAugust 26, 202403:19 min
external

Can mpox vaccines be produced in Africa?

The first mpox vaccines are finally due to arrive in Africa, where a new strain of the virus has caused global alarm.
August 26, 202404:40 min
A child holds up their arms, covered in blemishes symptomatic for the mpox virus

Congo’s refugee camps face severe mpox outbreak

NGOs and the government are rushing to contain an oubtreak of mpox amid pleas for international solidarity.
HealthAugust 26, 2024
View of a nurse's hands holding those of a child declared a suspected case of Mpox.

Mpox outbreak in DR Congo hits children hardest

The current outbreak is posing a serious challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially for children.
HealthAugust 22, 202403:00 min
DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

Will mpox become the next pandemic?

A top German virologist explains why you shouldn't compare the spread of mpox clade 1b with COVID-19
ScienceAugust 22, 202413:42 min
A mother checks the progress of her son after recovering from mpox at the Muja displaced persons camp near Goma, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mpox: Should Africans be worried?

The WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency, the highest level of alert for an infectious disease. Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, can be dangerous for children, pregnant women and people with suppressed immune systems. Should Africa and the world be concerned about another potential pandemic? Josey Mahachi talks to virologist ABC and DW correspondent Alex Gitta.
HealthAugust 21, 202426:52 min
A colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox particles (red) found within an infected cell (blue)

What is mpox and how does it spread?

The WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency. DW answers your questions.
HealthAugust 21, 2024
Samples of Bavartian Nordic's mpox vaccine Imvanex

Mpox outbreak: Are vaccine makers prepared?

Africa faces a shortage of mpox vaccines as a serious new mpox variant spreads on the continent.
BusinessAugust 21, 2024
A microscope image of the Mpox virus particles

Mpox: Thai authorities suspect first case

The patient is a European who recently arrived from a trip to Africa.
HealthAugust 21, 2024
The World Health Organization (WHO) logo is seen near its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland

Mpox is 'not the new COVID,' WHO says

Global health authorities say they know a lot more about the spread of mpox than they did about COVID-19.
HealthAugust 20, 2024
An electron microscope image of Mpox virus particles

Fact check: No link between mpox and COVID vaccination

Misinformation online links the current mpox outbreak to COVID-19 vaccines. What is the truth behind the claims?
HealthAugust 19, 2024
A nurse gives a man an mpox vaccination shot

Mpox: EU public health body raises alert level

Europe should prepare for more imported cases of mpox from African countries, the ECDC said on Friday.
HealthAugust 16, 2024
A nurse measures out a monkeypox vaccine shot at a vaccination site setup in Miami, Florida

Is there an mpox vaccine, and how does it work?

How do we further contain the current mpox outbreak across international borders? DW takes a closer look.
ScienceAugust 16, 2024
Illustration shows test tubes labeled "Monkeypox virus, positive and negative"

Mpox: EU must prepare for more cases, health agency warns

Following reports a new strain of mpox arriving in Sweden, the EU's health agency has urged preparedness.
HealthAugust 16, 2024
Image of an mpox vaccine bottle as seen on July 14, 2022

Pakistan registers 1st case of mpox

Pakistan's Health Ministry said it has detected a case of mpox virus in the country. The variant is not yet known.
HealthAugust 16, 2024
A doctor uses a cellphone to photograph patient's sores caused by a monkeypox infection

Sweden reports first mpox clade 1 case outside Africa

Sweden's public health agency reported a case of the new, more dangerous clade 1 variant of mpox.
HealthAugust 15, 2024
This photo provided by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) shows health workers educating children in Goma, Congo, about the symptoms of mpox

Congo: Mpox outbreak sparks fear amid low awareness

Residents of North Kivu province, where the outbreak is severe, are panicking due to low public health awareness.
HealthAugust 15, 2024
doctors wearing protective suits and masks examine a young child

Africa mpox outbreak: WHO declares global emergency

A new, highly infectious mpox virus, first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is spreading in Central Africa.
HealthAugust 15, 202402:06 min
Democratic Republic of Congo: A health official in protective medical dress leaves a room after treating a person with a suspected case of mpox

What is the mpox strain spreading in Central Africa?

What makes the mpox Clade 1b strain deadlier, what are its symptoms and how is it spread?
ScienceAugust 15, 2024
A picture of the mpox virus under a microscope

Mpox: WHO declares global health emergency

Over 500 deaths have been recorded in central Africa as fears grow that mpox could spread beyond the continent.
HealthAugust 14, 2024
Hands of a mpox case patient

Mpox outbreak declared a public health emergency in Africa

The viral disease has swept through a number of African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo.
HealthAugust 14, 2024
A bank vole, a small, mouse-looking animal, on a patch of moss

Alaskapox: First known death from the virus

An elderly man in the US died of Alaskapox in January. Here's everything you need to know about the virus.
ScienceFebruary 14, 2024
A man in Peru being treated for a mpox sore on their bottom lip of their mouth

WHO warns mpox could spread around the world again

Seven months after sexually transmitted mpox was downgraded from a global threat, a new outbreak could spread.
HealthDecember 20, 2023
Symbolbild I Affenpocken Impfung I Monkeypox Vaccine

Mpox no longer a global health emergency, says WHO

More than 87,000 cases of mpox were recorded in the past year, resulting in 140 deaths.
HealthMay 11, 2023
People wait in line to recieve the Mpox vaccine the Bushwick Education Campus in Brooklyn on July 17, 2022, in New York City

US to end mpox state of public health emergency

The public health emergency was declared over the summer, as the country struggled to contain the soaring infections.
HealthDecember 3, 2022
Monkeypox virions

Monkeypox to be renamed 'mpox,' WHO says

The World Health Organization said that it wants to minimize "negative impact" caused by the current name.
HealthNovember 28, 2022
A colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox particles (orange) found within an infected cell (brown)

What happened to monkeypox?

Monkeypox is rarely in the news lately and numbers have been declining, but it's still a problem in low-income regions.
ScienceNovember 4, 2022