As the world begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, a new health threat has emerged, drawing global attention to the disease mpox. Though it spreads more slowly than COVID-19, mpox poses serious risks and has recently been reported outside its traditional base in Africa. Here’s why mpox is becoming a focal point of international concern.
Recent Cases and Global Alerts
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has recently made headlines with new cases reported outside Africa. On Thursday, Sweden identified a case involving a traveler who had returned from Africa. This discovery followed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the latest outbreak as a “public health emergency of international concern,” emphasizing the risk of further imported cases in Europe.
On Friday, Pakistan reported its first case outside Africa, with the patient having returned from a Gulf country. Pakistani health authorities are currently testing to determine the specific variant of the virus involved. The emergence of cases in these countries underscores the global reach of the outbreak and the potential for widespread transmission.
The New Variant and Its Risks
The current outbreak features a new variant known as ‘clade Ib,’ a derivative of clade I, which is originally from Congo. Clade Ib is particularly concerning due to its increased lethality and faster spread compared to previous strains. Swedish authorities noted that this variant spreads mainly through household contacts and often affects children.
In contrast, clade IIb, which led to the global alert in 2022, spread primarily through sexual contact. The 2022 outbreak, which affected around 100,000 people in 116 countries, primarily involved gay and bisexual men and resulted in approximately 200 deaths. India reported 27 cases and one death during this period.
While clade Ib causes similar symptoms to clade IIb, it is associated with a higher fatality rate. Clade II, originating from West Africa, has a fatality rate of up to 1%, whereas clade I can have a fatality rate as high as 10%.
Mpox in Africa
Mpox has been a persistent issue in Africa, with significant outbreaks reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Since the outbreak began in January 2023, there have been 27,000 cases and over 1,100 deaths, predominantly among children. The disease has also spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. This rise in cases and fatalities has amplified global concerns about the disease’s potential for further spread.
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Characteristics and Spread of Mpox
Mpox belongs to the same virus family as smallpox but is generally less severe. Symptoms include blisters or sores that can last 2 to 4 weeks, often accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen glands. The blisters can appear on various parts of the body, including the face, hands, feet, and genital areas. While most cases resolve with symptomatic treatment, severe cases can lead to complications and death.
Unlike COVID-19, which spreads through tiny droplets in the air from breathing, talking, or coughing, mpox spreads through close contact. This includes face-to-face interaction, skin-to-skin contact, and contact with infected animals, such as certain monkeys and rodents. The disease can also spread through contaminated animal products, like improperly cooked meat.
Vaccines and Treatments
Mpox treatment options include Tecovirimat, an antiviral originally developed for smallpox, which received European Medicines Agency approval for mpox in January 2022. Additionally, there are three vaccines for mpox—MVA-BN, LC16, and OrthopoxVac—also initially developed for smallpox. WHO advises that these vaccines should be used selectively, for those at risk, rather than through mass inoculation.
The renewed concern over mpox highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in global health. As the disease spreads beyond Africa and presents new challenges, international health authorities are working to monitor and manage the situation. With the risk of further transmission and the presence of a more lethal variant, the global community must stay informed and prepared to address this emerging threat effectively.
