Mpox or monkeypox has been declared a new global health emergency according to The World Health Organization (WHO). As Africa grapples with a fast-spreading and deadly outbreak of mpox.

What is Mpox?

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is an infectious disease that can cause a rash and skin lesions, among other symptoms including fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes.

African Genocide?

The virus has been detected for the first time in numerous countries in Africa and is disproportionately affecting children. It has killed at least 517 people with more than 17,000 suspected cases across Africa so far this year, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo], its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,”

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press briefing Wednesday evening.

World Health Organization: New MPOX Variant

Cases have surged since 2022, when the WHO last declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). More recently, an alarming new variant that first appeared in 2023 has spread within the DRC and to neighboring regions, now recorded in at least five countries.

Scientist in the UK: Very Concerning

A leading scientist in the United Kingdom has warned that Europe should also be “very concerned” because countries no longer protect citizens against mpox through smallpox vaccination.

Independent experts met on Wednesday to advise the WHO on whether it should once again declare mpox a global emergency.

As countries and experts grapple to contain the outbreak, prevent disease in those most at risk and treat people, we look at what we know so far about a new variant spreading through Africa and whether Europe should also be on high alert.

How Is It Transmitted?

It’s transmitted via contact with lesions of an infected person, animal or contaminated material.

And the disease can be very serious in some people, even fatal. People with HIV are at heightened risk of severe illness — a major concern in some parts of Africa where mpox is currently spreading.

The last global mpox emergency formally ended in May 2023, with the WHO letting the temporary PHEIC alert expire as the outbreak receded. But the virus has remained a serious problem in Africa ever since. 

What is different about this outbreak?

The 2022 outbreak was driven by a different type of the virus, known as clade II, that generally causes less severe illness. This version of the virus spread through Europe, the United States and Canada during that outbreak.

MPOX Endemic: Clade 1

However, the type of mpox endemic in the DRC, clade I, is more dangerous and is now spreading in Central and Eastern Africa. Countries in other parts of the continent are also affected by different types of the virus.

Conclusion

Fear not! In Mathew 24:7, Yeshua outlined the pestilences (diseases) that will signal His imminent return. Whether man made or not this planned epidemic is no exception to the “pestilence’s” He warned about.

I encourage you to repent, be baptize and filled with the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:38 and fall under the Lord’s covering during this time. Jesus is the only vaccine that you will ever need. Amen!