The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the 'most dangerous' variant of Mpox as a threat to global public health.

The WHO has declared the outbreak of Mpox, spreading across various parts of Africa, as a significant risk to global health.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has caused over 450 deaths in Congo alone.

This outbreak has now spread to Central and Eastern Asia as well. Scientists are concerned about how rapidly this new variant is spreading and its deadly nature.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom expressed worry that the outbreak could spread beyond Africa, describing the situation as 'extremely alarming.'

In a statement, he emphasized the need for a unified global response to contain the outbreak and save lives.

Mpox is a contagious disease that can spread through close contact, such as sexual activity, touching an infected person, or even being close enough to breathe in droplets from an infected individual.

Symptoms of the disease include flu-like signs and rashes on the body. Researchers have noted that about four out of every 100 people infected with Mpox die from the illness.

Mpox exists in two forms: Clade I and Clade II

In 2022, Mpox was also declared a global health threat when the Clade II variant was affecting people.

However, this time, the more dangerous Clade I variant is spreading, with around 10% of infected patients losing their lives.

The new variant of Mpox has been named Clade I-B. One scientist has labeled it as the 'most dangerous' variant of Mpox to date.

So far, approximately 13,700 people in Congo have been infected with the virus, leading to 450 deaths.

Besides Congo, this new variant of Mpox is also affecting people in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and Rwanda.