[Extract]
The identification of a new strain of the Mpox virus (clade Ib) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the alarming rise in cases across Africa linked to sexual activity, and the potential for a new pandemic led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on August 14, 2024 (https://www.paho.org/en/mpox).
Between January 1 and September 15, 2024, a total of 6,201 cases and 32 deaths related to Mpox were confirmed in Africa, with the majority occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, cases of Mpox clade Ib were reported in Europe and Asia in August 2024 (https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/mpx_global). This situation is further complicated not only by the virus's potential spread but also by the resurgence of public health challenges previously observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the surge of disinformation (deliberate falsehoods intended to deceive), misinformation (inaccurate information shared without harmful intent), and fake news (fabricated news presented as legitimate), all of which undermine the effectiveness of the public health response [...]