The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is experiencing the biggest outbreak of the viral mpox disease ever recorded, with tens of thousands of people infected as of June. In December 2022, the government declared it an epidemic.

Formerly called monkeypox, the mpox disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, and is typically zoonotic – that is, it can be transmitted from animals to humans.

The virus is endemic to the densely forested regions of Central and West Africa and is related to the virus that caused the now-eradicated smallpox. Mpox can prove fatal in severe cases, with the primary symptoms being an itchy rash all over the body and a fever. Vaccines can limit infection.

Although outbreaks are common in the DRC, health experts said a new strain has been discovered this time in one part of the country.