Hey readers! 📢 U.S. health officials have confirmed the first case of a new form of mpox found in a traveler returning from eastern Africa. The individual was treated in Northern California, and their symptoms are on the mend. 👍 The good news? The risk to the public remains low.
Mpox is a rare disease caused by a virus related to smallpox. It’s endemic in parts of Africa, where it spreads through bites from rodents or small animals. Common symptoms include fever, chills, and body aches, but more severe cases can lead to lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals. 🦠
This new mpox strain, first seen in eastern Congo, has been spreading through close contact, including sexual transmission. So far, over 3,100 confirmed cases have been reported since late September, mostly in Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 🌍
Travelers to the U.S. are few, and in other countries like Germany, India, and Thailand, cases remain limited. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation, and the contagiousness among travelers continues to be low. Stay informed and stay safe! ✨
