With the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declaring mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), people must be aware of its risk factors and measures to reduce exposure.
Given the fact that Hyderabad is a well known destination for students from Africa, who visit to pursue higher education, risk awareness among the general public about the viral infection is vital.
The WHO had to issue PHEIC status to mpox due to alarming upsurge of infections in multiple countries across Africa. In 2024 alone, a total of 17, 500 mpox positive infections were recorded out of which 460 deaths have been reported in Africa.