WHO declares mpox outbreak a global health emergency

The World Health Organization has declared mpox a global health emergency. Mpox is a highly infectious disease that used to be called monkeypox. Since the beginning of the year, more than 13,700 cases and 450 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has since spread to other African nations, and cases were reported last week in Sweden in Europe and Pakistan in Asia. The disease causes flu-like symptoms and skin rash similar to smallpox.

Class discussion: Smallpox vaccines can be effective against mpox, but routine vaccinations stopped after smallpox was eliminated from the world by 1980. What often deadly and crippling disease came close to elimination through another worldwide vaccination campaign? The smallpox vaccine eliminated one of history’s deadliest diseases. Why do other vaccines, like the one for influenza, change every year? Are you up-to-date on your vaccinations? Why or why not? Why do some people avoid vaccines?