On Thursday, China confirmed an mpox outbreak, traced to an individual with a recent travel history to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as reported by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak was caused by a foreign individual who had visited the DRC, with four related cases identified among close contacts, all of whom contracted the virus following intimate contact.
The infected individuals are currently receiving medical treatment and remain under observation. The CDC reassured that the outbreak has been effectively controlled, but urged the public to avoid contact with wild rodents and primates, such as monkeys and apes, to prevent further spread. The center also emphasized that there have been no cases of infection in the general population.
Since early 2024, mpox cases have been rising in Africa, with the Democratic Republic of Congo remaining the worst-hit country. The World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of global concern last August, with more than 1,300 suspected deaths related to the disease reported across the continent.
