Mpox cases are surging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and several of its neighbouring countries. The DRC alone has reported more than 15,000 cases and more than 500 deaths, already exceeding its 2023 total, which itself was a record. Other infections can cause lingering complications, such as long covid, which can occur even after mild bouts of covid-19. So, is this a risk with mpox?

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, commonly causes a rash that develops into blisters, as well as aches, pain, fever and fatigue,…