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Swine pox virus has been spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for several years, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Previously, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the increased spread of monkeypox, formally known as monkeypox, on the African continent was a health emergency. Since then, monkeypox has spread across borders, primarily to neighboring countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed more than 14,500 cases and about 2,800 people infected. According to the latest data As of 2024, 517 people have died from the virus.
While the outbreak itself has been going on in the region for a decade, the clade of the virus circulating in the DRC makes it more contagious and deadly, especially to children under 15, said Dr. Dale Kalina, an infectious disease specialist at the Brant Community Healthcare System in Ontario.
Kalina told canadian television network news channel on wednesday that the recent spread of mpox could represent a global public health crisis.
In addition, Kalina said the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s health care system has “collapsed”, making it more difficult to implement appropriate prevention and control measures.
“That’s how the virus escapes, and that’s how the virus gets worse,” he said.
Previously, the World Health Organization declared MPOX a global emergency in July 2022, when the virus spread to more than 70 countries.
The infection is treatable and preventable with the smallpox vaccine. However, Kalina said Canada needs to declare it has “excess” smallpox vaccine and start supplying the drug to affected areas.
“To prevent the situation from getting worse, what we can do is help vaccinate these areas to alleviate the concerns of the rest of the world,” he said. “Canada has a lot of smallpox vaccine, the same as the cowpox vaccine, and many suppliers have also begun donating vaccines to central African countries.”
The virus is spread through physical contact with lesions, blisters, body fluids or respiratory droplets from an infected person. It can also be spread via contaminated materials or infected animals.
Symptoms include fever, rash, chills and muscle aches, beginning 13-21 days after exposure to the virus. Some more severe cases may include lesions on the face, hands, chest and genitals.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada has not seen any severe cases of MPOX, including those found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
CTVNews.ca wants to hear from Canadians who have questions, concerns or experiences regarding the smallpox virus. What would you like to know about the virus? Are you concerned about it affecting yourself or people in your area? Should Canada share smallpox vaccines abroad?
Please send an email to dotcom@bellmedia.ca Provide your name, approximate location and phone number so we can follow up. Your comment may be used in CTVNews.ca reporting.
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