VATICAN CITY -- Governments and private industries should share technology and treatments to help combat the mpox epidemic spreading through African nations, Pope Francis has said.

 Speaking at his weekly Angelus address, the pontiff expressed his solidarity with countries affected by the outbreak, which was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO) earlier in August.

 “I pray for all people infected,” Francis said, “especially for the population in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been particularly hit.”

 “I encourage governments and private industries to share technology and available treatments so that no one lacks adequate medical care.”

 Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a variation of smallpox which causes flu-like symptoms and rashes, which often spread to the hands and feet. Infections are not usually fatal and can clear up within two to three weeks, but mpox is harmful to vulnerable groups of people, including children.

 As reported in Le Monde on Friday, 582 people have died from mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo with over 17,000 suspected cases, according to the National Institute of Public Health. Cases of mpox have been minimal outside of Africa but the WHO extended its public health emergency internationally after a new variant, known as 1b, was found in Sweden and Thailand earlier this month.

 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, insisted the mpox epidemic could be curbed in a speech on Friday.

 “I want to be clear: this new mpox epidemic can be controlled and stopped. Doing so requires concerted action between international agencies and national and local partners, civil society, researchers and manufacturers, and you, our Member States.”

 bq