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New outbreak of monkeypox in Republic of the Congo

The Ministry of Health has reported an outbreak of monkeypox that has affected 19 people and killed 7 this year. The first case was detected in mid-January in Bétou district. More cases occurred in Likouala province.

Advice

Travellers are at low risk of exposure since monkeypox is a relatively rare disease caused by a virus that is closely related to the smallpox virus. Infection with monkeypox is not as serious as smallpox, but human deaths have occurred. The virus is transmitted by through the bite of infected rodents or by person to person through respiratory or direct contact with an infected person.

The symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backaches, swollen lymph nodes and a fluid filled rash, starting on the face. Eventually, the rash becomes crusty and the scabs will fall off. The illness usually lasts for 2 to 4 weeks.

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