Here’s What New Jersey Needs To Know About Mpox And The Global Health Emergency

This past week, while you were headed to work, or getting ready to spend a day at the Shore, or maybe you started making your Labor Day weekend plans the World Health Organization made a pretty startling announcement.

Now, before I go any further here, I do want to state this isn't to fearmonger, but more so just keep you informed. With all the info coming at us all the time it's easy for things to get lost in the cracks.

Get our free mobile app

The World Health Organization Announced A Global Health Emergency

On Wednesday the WHO announced that Mpox is now being considered a global health emergency after cases became more and more present.

A global health emergency is the WHO's highest level of alert which can increase the speed of research, funding, and public health measures.

What Is Mpox And How Does It Spread?

READ MORE: Popular NJ Beach Closed For The Summer Due to Contamination

Mpox, formerly referred to as Monkey Pox, is a viral infection according to Reuters, that causes flu-like symptoms and puss-filled lesions.

The virus is spread through physical contact but doesn't seem to spread easily, if at all, through air.

Mpox is mainly found in the Democratic Republic of Congo but has been spreading at an alarming rate to neighboring countries in Africa and Europe.

Does New Jersey Need To Be Worried About Mpox?

This was my first thought too; if this disease seems to only be found in parts of Africa, do we really need to worry about it in the Garden State?

Apparently, there has been one confirmed case in Sweden which tells us the disease is on the move, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

According to Reuters, there are tools that help stop the spread of Mpox better than other diseases and Mpox itself doesn't spread easily.

I'm not a doctor, but my recommendation would be to just stay informed on what's going on but for now, it doesn't seem like Mpox is a threat to Garden State.