Many of the world’s new mpox cases are in China
Conservatism and nationalism are blocking efforts to curb the disease’s spread
Global health officials were spooked last year when mpox, a disease formerly known as monkeypox, began spreading beyond the parts of Africa where it is endemic. Its reach rapidly extended across Europe and America, mainly through sexual contact. Mpox can cause flu-like symptoms, painful blisters and, in very rare cases, death. This year cases have fallen rapidly in much of the world, thanks to vaccines and health education. But not in China.
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This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Viral slurs”
From the October 7th 2023 edition
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