Just when you thought it was safe to go back outside after
your latest Covid 19 vaccine jab, a new contender for
“Most Annoying Virus of the Year” has entered the ring.
That’s right, Mpox is back, and this time it’s setting up
camp in Africa—specifically in the Democratic Republic of
Congo, where the virus apparently decided it needed a
tropical vacation.
Sure, it hasn’t caused a global meltdown yet, but who’s to
say it won’t? After all, we’ve all seen how well humanity
handles crises. Remember when we were all supposed to
wear masks and social distance to “flatten the curve” so
the Corona virus would not spread and it would all be over
in a few weeks?
Now, before you start hoarding toilet paper and hand
cleaner, let’s all take a deep breath…just make sure
you’re not too close to a stranger. According to the World
Health Organization (WHO)—which, by the way, is
officially declaring this a “Public Health Emergency of
International Concern” (PHEIC, because they ran out of
letters)—the immediate risk to the general population
outside of Africa is still low. In other words, Mpox hasn’t
booked a global tour just yet. But remember, that’s what
they said about COVID-19, and look how that turned out.
So, what’s the takeaway here? If you’re in Africa,
especially near the Democratic Republic of Congo, it’s
time to be extra cautious. And for the rest of us? Keep an
eye on the headlines, because Mpox might decide it wants
to become the next big thing in viral entertainment. Just
remember: in the world of pandemics, it’s always better to
be safe than sorry—or, in this case, sorry you didn’t take
Mpox seriously when it was still just a “growing concern.”
And trust me, this is one viral sensation you do NOT want
tickets to.
For the most up-to-date information, check the
following sources:
World Health Organization (WHO):
https://www.who.int/about
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/index.html
