The Air Rescue Team of FEMERAID International informs all our members, Knights and Dames of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP) about the followings:
Scientists are expressing concern regarding a new variant of MPOX that appears to have a higher mortality rate, potentially claiming the lives of 10% of those infected, and is believed to transmit more readily. Since January 2023, Mpox has resulted in 27,000 cases and over 1,100 fatalities, predominantly affecting children.
Eighteen countries have reported cases, including Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda. The Africa CDC has documented more than 15,000 Mpox cases and 461 deaths on the continent this year, marking a 160% increase compared to the same timeframe last year.
In 2022, the World Health Organization classified Mpox as a global threat as it began to spread beyond Africa, primarily among men who have intimate relationships.
Europe emerged as the epicentre of the 2022 outbreak, accounting for 80% of global cases, with the emergency phase continuing until May 2023. Mpox has been a persistent issue in various regions of Africa for decades.
We anticipated multiple spills globally due to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo; therefore, it is essential to remain alert and refrain from direct contact.
Dr. Nuno Cosmelli, MD, EPh, KGCC
General Secretary of FEMERAID International
22 August 2024