NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has tallied 1,088 monkeypox cases during the first three months of 2022, according to the latest information from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Monkeypox/CDC

This is comparable to the number of cases reported during the same period in 2021 (1,126).

52 fatalities have been attributed to monkeypox this year to date (CFR 4.8%).

Monkeypox is in the same family of viruses as smallpox but generally causes a milder infection. It can be spread between people through direct contact with skin lesions or body fluids, or contaminated materials such as clothing or linens. It can also be spread through large respiratory droplets which generally cannot travel more than a few feet, and prolonged face-to-face contact is required.

Illness typically begins with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes, progressing to a widespread rash on the face and body. Most infections last 2-4 weeks. The individuals identified as having been potentially exposed to this case will be monitored for symptoms of monkeypox for 21 days after exposure.

Human monkeypox infections primarily occur in central and western African countries.