Mpox: What does the new strain mean for you?

What in the World

• Episode: Mpox: What does the new strain mean for you?
• Website: What in the World
• Feed URL: https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/w13xtvrv.rss
• Duration: 00:12:23
• Published: 2024-07-17 15:30

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 BBC 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 BBC 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: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, William Lee Adams and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde