Monkeypox in central Africa

Health Check

Monkeypox is spreading in more than 20 countries where previously it has not been seen, but BBC Health reporter Smitha Mundasad explains that this is not a new disease.

Presenter Claudia Hammond hears of an outbreak of a more serious strain in an area of the Democratic Republic of Congo that has no experience of Monkeypox. Professor Wim van Damme got in touch about his research trip to Maniema, a rural DRC province with more than 500 cases and 50 deaths. Plus, professor of virology Penny Moore discusses Covid variants in South Africa. Might waves of the virus be more predictable as surges appear to be settling into a six-monthly pattern? And a helpful new study on creams for childhood eczema.

Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Erika Wright

Photo copyright: Professor Wim van Damme