Mpox symptoms you shouldn't ignore. Early signs and how to stay safe

Mpox is on the rise, and recognising its symptoms early can make all the difference. Learn what to watch for to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Health officials announced on Saturday that the first U.S. case of a new type of mpox, first seen in eastern Congo, has been confirmed.

According to the California Department of Public Health, the patient had travelled to eastern Africa and was treated in Northern California after returning.

The person is recovering at home, and health workers are contacting close contacts as a precaution. Officials say the risk to the public is low.

Mpox is a rare disease caused by a virus related to smallpox. In Africa, it spreads mainly through contact with infected animals like rodents.

Common symptoms include fever, chills, and body aches, while more severe cases can lead to skin lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals.

Earlier this year, a new form of mpox emerged in Africa, spreading through close contact, including sexual transmission.

According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, while it has spread widely in central and eastern Africa, cases outside the continent have been limited.

The World Health Organisation has reported over 3,100 confirmed cases since late September, mostly in Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Cases in travellers have also been found in countries like Germany, India, Kenya, Sweden, Thailand, Zimbabwe, and the UK.

Officials say the situation in Congo is improving. Still, the Africa CDC estimates that 3 million mpox vaccines are needed for Congo and 7 million more for the rest of Africa to stop the spread.

The virus spreads through close contact, affecting children, pregnant women, and vulnerable groups.

This outbreak is different from the 2022 global outbreak, where most cases were in gay and bisexual men.

(Note: The Associated Press Health and Science Department contributed to this report.)