Monkeypox: UK patient discusses his symptoms A health expert has shared the six key signs of mpox to spot after a current outbreak of the disease was branded a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The viral infection, previously known as monkeypox, has surged in Africa, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo worst hit. According to data more than 15,000 mpox cases and 461 deaths were reported on the continent in 2024 so far.
This is a 160 per cent rise in cases compared with the same period in 2023, while deaths have increased by about 19 per cent. Health officials in Europe have also voiced their concern after a case of the contagious strain of mpox, called Clade 1, was detected in Sweden. With this in mind, one expert revealed some of the telltale signs of infection to look out for and what to do if you think you are affected.
READ MORE Patient shares difference between cancer fatigue and normal tiredness A fever is one potential symptom of mpox (Image: Getty) Rhyssa Phommachanh, health specialist at Landys Chemist , said: “Mpox, formally known as monkeypox is a viral infection that originally emerged in Central and West Africa, where it was first identified in monkeys. “It is part of the same family of viruses as the variola virus, which causes smallpox. The virus is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
“Once in humans, the virus can spread from person to person through close contact with respiratory droplets, .