Gabon Registers First Case Of Mpox

MOSCOW, Aug 23 (Bernama-Sputnik) -- The first case of mpox has been registered in Gabon, the Gabonese Health Ministry said on Friday, reported Sputnik.

"Today, Aug 22, 2024, the government announces the first case of mpox in Gabon," the ministry said in a statement.

The patient is a 30-year-old Gabonese national, who had returned from Uganda, the country affected by the disease, the ministry said, adding that he had developed symptoms that include fever, fatigue and rash several days after returning home. The authorities are trying to identify people with whom he was in contact, it said.

On August 13, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared a public health emergency over the outbreak of mpox on the continent and called on the international community to help collect about two million doses of the vaccine. Last week, the World Health Organisation declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of international concern.

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a rare infectious disease that is also transmitted between people. It is usually a mild disease that most people recover from within a few weeks, but some may have complications. The initial symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, enlarged lymph nodes, chills and fatigue. A rash may develop, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK