Main content

Mpox: What does the new strain mean for you?

Cases are on the rise again in Africa, with reports of a more dangerous strain.

A new strain of the mpox virus is spreading quickly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and experts say it is the most dangerous variant they have seen.

We chat to Makuochi Okafor, a 麻豆社 Africa health reporter, who explains the symptoms of mpox, why scientists changed its name, and how people can protect themselves. He also describes what we know about the new variant.

In 2022, a global outbreak of the virus spread across the world. The World Health Organisation said more than 87,000 cases were recorded in 111 countries. We hear what it was like for some people who caught it.

And 麻豆社 Health reporter Philippa Roxby tells us how that outbreak was controlled, and the role public information and vaccines played. With not enough vaccines in Africa, can authorities stop the spread this time?

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison
Editor: Verity Wilde

Available now

12 minutes

Last on

Thu 18 Jul 2024 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 17 Jul 2024 17:50GMT
  • Thu 18 Jul 2024 02:50GMT

Podcast