Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash Cheryl Walter , University of Hull The new strain of the mpox virus is spreading quickly along the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo and is “ the most dangerous yet ”, says the World Health Organization. The current outbreak has been driven by sexual transmission but there is evidence this strain can also be passed on through close skin-to-skin contact. Those now being infected include schoolchildren, healthcare workers and entire households. Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda –- previously unaffected by mpox – have reported cases since mid-July 2024. Meanwhile, in South Africa, an outbreak has killed three people so far. Border authorities are screening travellers into and out of the country. Virologist Cheryl Walter explains the history of mpox, the symptoms and why we should be worried about virulent virus mutations. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of mpox start off being quite ...