Alarm over high mortality and miscarriage rates as mutated virus spreads in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

A dangerous strain of mpox that is killing children and causing miscarriages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most transmissible yet and could spread internationally, scientists have warned.

The virus appears to be spreading from person to person via both sexual and non-sexual contact, in places ranging from brothels to schools.

Hundreds of people with the disease, formerly known as monkeypox, have attended hospital in the mining town of Kamituga, South Kivu province, in what is likely to be the “tip of the iceberg” of a larger outbreak, doctors say.

The new DRC outbreak is a mutated form of clade I mpox. Doctors report a fatality rate of about 5% in adults and 10% in children, as well as high rates of miscarriages among pregnant women.

  • AuroraZzz@lemmy.worldEnglish
    202·
    5 months ago

    It kinda sucks that global warming causes plagues to spread faster in the warmer, moister air. Makes the bad situation a whole lot worse

      • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOPEnglish
        21·
        5 months ago

        COVOD’s (sic) a virus.

        So is mpox.

        It (COVID) does substantially better in cool, dry air, as do the majority.

        You’re right here. But mpox isn’t spread through the air like COVID is. It’s spread through sexual and non-sexual contact.

        You’re bullshitting about a virus with a 5% kill rate.

        5% for adults, 10% for kids and a massive increase in miscarriages. So far more deaths than you say.

          • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOPEnglish
            18·
            5 months ago

            I simply quoted what was in the article, which seemed vastly better than what you pulled from your brain.

            How about you source your statements instead.

            • justaderp@lemmy.worldEnglish
              18·
              5 months ago

              Thank you for pointing out that I’m being an idiot in such a kind manner. I apologize. I also learned more about mpox.

              • Badabinski@kbin.earth
                17·
                5 months ago

                I don’t know the tone or content of your previous messages, but I appreciate that you removed potential misinformation and took the whole exchange as a learning opportunity rather than digging in your heels.

                I also appreciate that @girlfreddy@lemmy.ca simply asserted the facts present in the article as a part of their initial message. It’s nice to see positive interactions develop out of a less-than-ideal starting point.

                • justaderp@lemmy.worldEnglish
                  7·
                  5 months ago

                  I accused the other of misinformation when the article even said I was wrong. I’d be a hypocrite, an idiot, and an asshole to not make it right.

                  Thanks for not only recognizing but also taking the time to reinforce what we both want to see more of.

                  • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOPEnglish
                    5·
                    5 months ago

                    You’re a good person for knowing when you fuck up and admitting it. I need to do better at that myself. So thanks for reminding me. 👍