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The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the escalating mpox outbreak in Africa as a global health emergency. This announcement, made on Wednesday by WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, follows the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s declaration of a public health emergency across the continent and could cross international borders.

The current year has seen an increase in mpox cases, with over 14,000 reported incidents and 524 fatalities in Africa, surpassing the previous year’s statistics.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is at the epicenter of this outbreak, accounting for more than 96% of the total cases and deaths. A new strain of mpox, potentially more transmissible among humans, has raised concerns among the scientific community.

The WHO’s declaration warns that the virus could breach international borders without concerted efforts.

Here are five things to know about the mpox:

1. Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus. Mpox is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes smallpox.
2. Common symptoms include a skin rash or mucosal lesions, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes, lasting 2–4 weeks.
3. Mpox can spread through direct contact with infectious lesions, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials. It’s also possible to contract the virus from infected animals.
4. Vaccines developed for smallpox may offer protection against mpox, as the viruses are closely related. However, since smallpox vaccinations ceased in the general population, mpox has been increasingly appearing in unvaccinated individuals.
5. While most people recover fully, children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for complications from mpox.

Monkeypox, a common virus in Central and West Africa, is increasing in several countries in Europe and now in the United States of America.

There have been more than 100 cases reported worldwide and the UK Health Security Agency says the outbreak is “significant and concerning” though the risk to its population “remains low.”

The first case was discovered in a man from Massachusetts who traveled from Canada, and a recent case was detected in Florida.

Though anyone is susceptible to the virus, experts say most of the cases were found in gay men.

President Joe Biden said “people should be careful” but it does not “rises to the level of the kind of concern that existed with Covid-19.”

Belgium, with four cases reported on Monday, though, is taking precautions and is the first country to introduce a mandatory 21-day quarantine for monkeypox patients.  Close contacts are not required to self-isolate.

How Monkeypox spreads

Experts said the virus does not seem to spread easily between people but can spread through close physical contact with somebody infected.

The early symptoms are the flu, fever and chills, and a rash that can spread from the face to other parts of the body.

The rash of raised spots turns into blisters which clear up within two to four weeks.

Experts say the smallpox vaccine can be used to help limit the spread.

President Biden said vaccines were being offered to close contacts but there were no plans for an “at scale” vaccination program.

“We do have vaccines procured at significant numbers but given the nature of this and how we know it’s spreading, it’s thought to be no clinical requirement for that sort of at scale campaign,” he said.

The Bahamas is set to receive 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine this month.

In a press statement released from the Office of the Prime Minister, it was confirmed that the government was notified by COVAX of the estimated COVID-19 vaccine dose allocation for the first phase of delivery to the Bahamas.

COVAX, a coalition led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi (Vaccine Alliance), informed Bahamian health authorities that the country could receive 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, at the beginning of the second half of February through the second quarter of 2021.

How it works

• The AstraZeneca vaccine is made from a weakened version of the common cold from chimpanzees but modified to look like coronavirus.
• When injected into the arms of a patient, the immune system begins to make antibodies and attacks any coronavirus infection.

How effective is AstraZeneca?

According to a study, the AstraZeneca vaccine is 82% effective against the virus, with a three-month gap between two shots.

The trial data by the University of Oxford shows that the vaccine also significantly reduces the transmission of the virus.

Swabs taken from volunteers in the U.K. arm of the trial showed a 67% reduction in transmission after the first dose.

The German COVID vaccination committee recommended that the AstraZeneca vaccine only be used for the 18-64 age group, citing the lack of data on its effectiveness on people over the age of 65.

The AstraZeneca trials show that the most common side effects of the vaccine were usually mild or moderate and got better within a few days after vaccination. The most common side effects are pain and tenderness at the injection site, headache, tiredness, muscle pain, a general feeling of being unwell, chills, fever, joint pain, and nausea.

The country’s National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee will hold a press conference on Thursday at 5 pm, to discuss the details about the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.

Sunday’s national address by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis seemed to prepare the nation for a possible lockdown.

Dr. Minnis’ speech was littered with notions of “lockdown” with many viewers sitting on their edge of their seats, waiting for him to announce the new measure for New Providence. But it never happened.

Now many are speculating when a lockdown will be implemented by Minnis.

Here’s five things Minnis said that supports a lockdown is looming for the New Providence and Abaco:

• Minnis highlighted that other countries have returned to lockdown measures to combat virus increases

He said, “Some countries have gone back to targeted lockdowns or more restrictive curfews and other measures needed to address the high number of infections, hospitalizations and, sadly, deaths.”

• Minnis hinted that lockdown is an international measure used to fight the virus

“If cases rise exponentially and virus spread is out of control, governments often have no choice but to order a lockdown to save lives.

“This has become an international standard and response by most governments around the world, including countries that have generally had a good response to the pandemic.”

• Minnis praised the sucess of lockdowns in Bimini and Grand Bahama

“Indeed, the targeted and sustained lockdowns in Bimini and most recently, Grand Bahama, were essential in reducing the number of infections on those islands, both of which continue to have low numbers at this time.”

• Minnis painted a grim picture of COVID-19 in New Providence

“One in every 100 residents of New Providence is now infected with COVID-19.

“Sadly, we are now averaging one death per day and our medical facilities have now reached capacity.”

• Minnis said PAHO and WHO representative Dr. Esther de Gourville, and Consultant Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis are set to discuss future strategies in a “special meeting” with Cabinet and the Opposition.

“After these various meetings, I will brief the nation on the recommendations of our health experts, especially on the way forward for New Providence and Abaco.”