Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been renamed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to mitigate stigma and racial connotations associated with its previous nomenclature. The change underscores a global sensitivity towards the implications of disease naming and its societal impacts.

The initial detection of mpox in humans dates back to 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the WHO providing extensive documentation and study of its transmission and effects.

Characterized by fever, body aches, and distinctive skin lesions, Mpox poses a formidable challenge to public health.

In response to the current epidemic, Minister Mokoki has urged the public to adopt several precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus. These include maintaining a safe distance from those suspected of carrying the virus, avoiding direct contact with animals, and handling game meat only with protective gloves.

The renewed vigilance comes in the wake of the WHO’s declaration in 2022, labeling a similar outbreak that extended to Europe and North America as a global health emergency. This prior outbreak underscored the virus’s potential for international spread and its capacity to emerge as a significant global health threat.

As the Republic of the Congo confronts this public health challenge, the global community watches and learns, hoping to contain and eventually eradicate this daunting disease.