Category: Monkey Pox Vaccine

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) declared on August 14, 2024, that the recent upsurge in mpox cases constitutes a public health emergency of international concern," the organization's highest alert level. The next day, Sweden confirmed the first case of the new strain, mpox Clade 1, to be diagnosed outside Africa.

As of August 21, 2024, there have been more than 17,000 suspected cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) reported in Africa since the beginning of the yeara significant increase in the total suspected cases in 2023. The current consensus states that the rise in cases is due to the new mpox Clade 1 strain. Mpox Clade 2 was the milder variant behind 2022's global outbreak of less severe infections. More than 99.9% of those infected with mpox Clade 2 survive. Compared to Clade 2, Clade 1 typically causes a higher percentage of people with mpox to get severely sickit can also cause fatalitiesper the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); some outbreaks of Clade 1 were reported to have killed up to 10% of people who got sick.

The latest global health emergency declaration is the result of an IHR Emergency Committee decision, which met to review data presented by experts from WHO and affected countries. There are concerns that the disease could spread further across Africa and across continents, however, Mpox is not the new COVID,' a top WHO officialsaid on August 20. At the time of publication, no cases of Clade 1 mpox have been reported in the United States.

Following WHO's announcement, there have been instances of mpox misinformation and disinformation going viral on social media, as USA Today reported Tuesday. Platforms such as X, Meta, and TikTok have pages outlining their policies on combatting the spread of misinformation and misleading content, but the most reliable sources for information concerning mpox remain the official channels of public health organizations such as the WHO and the CDC.

As of August 21, 2024, there is no official call for general travelers to be vaccinated against mpox ahead of their trips.

However, the CDC issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice on August 7, 2024, regarding travel to DRC and neighboring countries. The notice advises travelers to practice enhanced precautions, which includes vaccinating with both doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine at least 28 days apart as soon as possible if you visit DRC or its neighboring countries (Burundi, Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda). While there is currently no official recommendation for how far in advance travelers should receive the second dose prior to their trip, the CDC notes that it takes two weeks after the second dose to be the most protected. Research on how long protection lasts is ongoing, with studies being conducted on data from the most recent outbreak. All of the CDC's advisories on travel to those countries can be found on their respective Travel Health Notice pages, and updates on the effectiveness of the JYNNEOS vaccine can be found on their mpox vaccination recommendations page.

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What Travelers Need to Know About the Mpox Vaccine - Cond Nast Traveler

Key facts

Mpox is an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain and low energy. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.

Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). It is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus of theOrthopoxvirusgenus in thePoxviridaefamily, which includes variola, cowpox, vaccinia and other viruses. There are two distinct clades of the virus: clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb).

A global outbreak of clade IIb began in 2022 and continues to this day, including in some African countries. There are also growing outbreaks of clades Ia and Ib affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in Africa. As of August 2024, clade Ib has also been detected beyond Africa.

The natural reservoir of the virus is unknown, but various small mammals such as squirrels and monkeys are susceptible.

Mpox spreads from person to person mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox, including members of a household. Close contact includes skin-to-skin (such as touching or sex) and mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact (such as kissing), and it can also include being face-to-face with someone who has mpox (such as talking or breathing close to one another, which can generate infectious respiratory particles).

People with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk of acquiring mpox.

People can also contract mpox from contaminated objects such as clothing or linen, through needle injuries in health care, or in community settings such as tattoo parlours.

During pregnancy or birth, the virus may be passed to the baby.Contracting mpox during pregnancy can be dangerous for the fetus or newborn infant and can lead to loss of the pregnancy, stillbirth, death of the newborn, or complications for the parent.

Animal-to-human transmission of mpox occurs from infected animals to humans from bites or scratches, or during activities such as hunting, skinning, trapping, cooking, playing with carcasses or eating animals.The animal reservoir of the monkeypox virus remains unknown and further studies are underway.

More research is needed on how mpox spreads during outbreaks in different settings and under different conditions.

Mpox causes signs and symptoms which usually begin within a week but can start 121 days after exposure. Symptoms typically last 24 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system.

Common symptoms of mpox are:

For some people, the first symptom of mpox is a rash, while others may have fever, muscle aches or sore throat first.

The mpox rash often begins on the face and spreads over the body, extending to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It can also start on other parts of the body where contact was made, such as the genitals. It starts as a flat sore, which develops into a blister filled with liquid that may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over and fall off.

Some people may have one or a few skin lesions and others have hundreds or more. These can appear anywhere on the body including:

Some people also have painful swelling of their rectum (proctitis) or pain and difficulty when peeing (dysuria) or when swallowing.

People with mpox can pass the disease on to others until all sores have healed and a new layer of skin has formed. Some people can be infected without developing any symptoms. Although getting mpox from someone who is asymptomatic (not showing symptoms) has been reported, information is still limited on how common it is.

Children, pregnant people and people with weak immune systems, including people living with HIV that is not well controlled, are at higher risk for serious illness and death due to complications from mpox.

Some people with mpox become very sick. For example, the skin can become infected with bacteria, leading to abscesses or serious skin damage. Other complications include pneumonia; corneal infection with loss of vision; pain or difficulty swallowing; vomiting and diarrhoea causing dehydration or malnutrition; and infections of the blood (sepsis), brain (encephalitis), heart (myocarditis), rectum (proctitis), genital organs (balanitis) or urinary passages (urethritis). Mpox can be fatal in some cases.

Identifying mpox can be difficult because other infections and conditions can look similar. It is important to distinguish mpox from chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, herpes, syphilis, other sexually transmitted infections, and medication-associated allergies. Someone with mpox may also have another sexually transmitted infection at the same time, such as syphilis or herpes. Alternatively, a child with suspected mpox may also have chickenpox. For these reasons, testing is key for people to get care as early as possible and prevent severe illness and further spread.

The preferred laboratory test for mpox is detection of viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The best diagnostic specimens are taken directly from the rash skin, fluid or crusts collected by vigorous swabbing. In the absence of skin lesions, testing can be done using swabs or the throat or anus. Testing blood is not recommended. Antibody detection methods may not be useful as they do not distinguish between different orthopoxviruses.

HIV testing should be offered to adults with mpox, and children as appropriate. Diagnostic tests for other conditions should be considered where feasible, for example, varicella zoster virus (VZV), syphilis and herpes.

The goal of treating mpox is to take care of the rash, manage pain and prevent complications. Early and supportive care is important to help manage symptoms and avoid further problems.

Getting an mpox vaccine can help prevent infection (pre-exposure prophylaxis). It is recommended for people at high-risk of getting mpox, especially during an outbreak.

Groups that may be at high risk of mpox include:

The vaccine can also be administered after a person has been in contact with someone who has mpox (post-exposure prophylaxis). In these cases, the vaccine should be given less than 4 days after contact with someone who has mpox. The vaccine can be given for up to 14 days if the person has not developed symptoms.

Some antivirals have received emergency use authorization in some countries and are being evaluated in clinical trials. To date, there is no proven effective antiviral treatment for mpox. It is a priority to continue evaluation of therapeutics in robust clinical trials and to focus on optimizing supportive care for patients.

Individuals with HIV and mpox should continue taking their antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART should be initiated within 7 days of diagnosis of HIV.

Most people with mpox will recover within 24 weeks. Things to do to help the symptoms and prevent transmitting mpox to others:

Do

Do not

To prevent spread of mpox to others, people with mpox should isolate at home following guidance from their health care provider, or in hospital if needed, for the duration of the infectious period (from onset of symptoms until lesions have healed and scabs fall off). Covering lesions and wearing a well-fitting mask when in the presence of others may help prevent spread. Using condoms during sex will help reduce the risk of getting mpox but will not prevent spread from skin-to-skin or mouth-to-skin contact.If having sex, use condoms as a precaution for 12 weeks (about 3 months) after you have recovered.

Taking a break from sexual activity with new partners during periods of increased transmission can reduce the risk of getting mpox. Those who have had contact with someone with mpox should monitor for signs and symptoms for 21 days (3 weeks) and take precautions such as avoiding sexual activity during this period.

Health workers should follow infection prevention and control measures to protect themselves while caring for patients with mpox by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (i.e. gloves, gown, eye protection and respirator) and adhering to protocol for safely swabbing lesions for diagnostic testing and handling sharp objects such as needles.

The monkeypox virus was discovered in Denmark (1958) in monkeys kept for research. The first reported human case of mpox was a nine-month-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1970). Following the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the end of smallpox vaccination worldwide, mpox steadily emerged in central, east and west Africa. Since then, mpox has been reported sporadically in central and east Africa (clade I) and west Africa (clade II). In 2003, an outbreak in the United States of America was linked to imported wild animals (clade II). Since 2005, thousands of cases are reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo every year. In 2017, mpox re-emerged in Nigeria and continues to spread between people across the country and in travellers to other destinations.

Data on suspected and confirmed cases reported up to 2021 are availablehere and data on laboratory confirmed cases from 2022 until today are available here.

In May 2022, an outbreak of mpox appeared suddenly and rapidly spread across Europe, the Americas and then all six WHO regions. The global outbreak has affected primarily (but not only) gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and has spread person-to-person through sexual networks. More information on the global outbreak is availablehere, including information on community responses to control the outbreak.

In 2022, outbreaks of mpox due to clade I occurred in refugee camps in the Republic of the Sudan.

Since 2022, there has also been an upsurge in mpox cases and deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In some areas of the country, a new offshoot of clade I, called clade Ib, has been spreading person-to-person. As of mid-2024, the clade has also been reported in other countries.

Over 120 countries have reported mpox between Jan 2022 Aug 2024, with over 100000 laboratory-confirmed cases reported and over 220 deaths among confirmed cases.

Stigma and discrimination for any disease are never acceptable. Stigma linked to mpox can undermine public health efforts or prolong a disease outbreak, as people may be more reluctant to come forward and seek care and treatment. For mpox, stigma, discrimination and racism have been particularly directed against communities initially most affected by the disease, namely men who have sex with men, trans people and gender diverse communities.

WHO works with Member States and partners to prevent and respond to outbreaks of mpox. This includes coordinating research on vaccines and treatments, strengthening country health systems, and working to facilitate equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and other tools.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) twice, the first time in May 2022 and the second time in August 2024.

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Mpox - World Health Organization (WHO)

Aug 26, 2024 13:50 2 min read

Amid the global health emergency declared due to the rapid spread of mpox, the disease formerly known as monkeypox, Brazil is moving to secure new doses of vaccines as soon as possible.

Speaking to news website G1 on Friday morning, Brazils health surveillance secretary Ethel Maciel said the country is hoping to receive vaccines soon, but that this depends on the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

I cant give an exact date for their arrival, as this no longer depends on the Health Ministry, but the most complex phase of obtaining special authorizations to import vaccines has already been completed, she said.

Brazil began its vaccination campaign against mpox in 2023, targeting people living with HIV/Aids, employees of labs exposed to the virus, and those who have come in contact with bodily fluids of patients with suspected infections.

The Health Ministry says that it may revise its immunization parameters once it gets its hands on the latest shipment of doses.

The mpox vaccine is manufactured by biotechnology company Bavarian Nordic, headquartered in Denmark. The immunizer is administered in two doses, with a recommended four weeks in between each jab.

The renewed fears about mpox are in relation to the spread of a new subvariety of the virus in Congo. There are two main types of mpox known to scientists: Clade I and Clade II the former is typically more severe and has a higher mortality rate. The current spread in Congo, however, has been put down to a new subtype: Clade Ib. Brazil has yet to identify any cases of this new subtype.

Ms. Maciel, however, says that Brazil can take nothing for granted. In this globalized world, every country knows it could have a case [of Clade Ib]. Its very important that we identify them quickly so that we can take the necessary isolation measures and stop the spread.

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Brazil to receive mpox vaccine soon, says health secretary - The Brazilian Report

Germany on Monday announced that it would donate 100,000 doses of mpox vaccine to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African nations in hopes of getting an outbreak of the disease under control.

The gift will all but wipe out the German military's reserve of roughly 118,000 doses.

Berlin will also lend financial support to its effort, providing funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as supporting partners in Africa through the Gavi Vaccine Alliance.

Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Berlin's aim is, "to support in solidarity the international efforts to contain mpox on the African continent."

Hebestreit, noting that these were immediate-term measures, added that Berlin would also work alongside the African Union (AU) to foster local vaccine production.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) this month declared a recent mpox outbreak in the DRC a global public health emergency when cases began showing up outside the country.

The WHO claims the disease "can be stopped" but notes that this will require a comprehensive and expensive global effort.

France last week announced that it would donate 100,000 doses and the US, too, will donate 50,000.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has been around for decades, yet a new, more virulent strain is thought to be behind its recent spread.

Deadly and communicable, the Clade 1b strain has killed more than 570 people this year. The disease has spread across the DRC, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The first European fatality was registered in Sweden.

The mpox virus can spread from animals to humans but also between humans through close physical contact, most often through kissing or sexual contact.

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js/wd (AFP, Reuters)

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Mpox: Germany to give Africa 100,000 doses of vaccine - DW (English)

A German spokesperson disclosed that Germany is committed to donating 100,000 mpox vaccine doses to Africa, in addition to offering assistance to the countries most affected by the mpox outbreak.

The spokesperson, as seen in Reuters also revealed that the German government plans to provide the World Health Organization (WHO) with flexible funding options through various avenues to battle mpox, along with assistance for its African partners through the GAVI vaccine alliance.

Currently, Germany's army has stockpiled approximately 117,000 doses of Jynneos, which it acquired in 2022.

Last week, fellow European state, France, also committed to sending 100,000 doses of the mpox vaccine to regions most affected by the disease, as seen on Yahoo News. The Prime Minister of the country noted that France would donate the vaccines as it prepares to launch vaccine centers within its borders.

"These doses will be distributed through the European Union to regions where the virus is circulating widely," the prime minister said.

According to the African Union health agency, arrangements with the European Union and Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic, whose vaccine was authorized in 2019, will enable the shipment of some 200,000 vaccines throughout Africa.

On Friday last week, Austrias Health Minister Johannes Rauch, relayed that the country would be aiding Africa in its fight against the spread of the virus by donating mpox vaccines.

Austria is ready to donate Mpox vaccine to African countries. The recent Mpox outbreak is endangering the lives and health of tens of thousands of people there. I support @SKyriakidesEU's call for coordinated action by EU countries, he disclosed via his X account.

We will clarify the exact number of doses and the organizational details with the EU Commission immediately, he added.

Austria possesses 34,000 doses, which can be used for up to 170,000 vaccinations, as recommended by the National Vaccination Committee.

On the 14th of August, the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox (mpox) epidemic a worldwide emergency. This followed the disease's outbreak in several African countries, most notably in East Africa. In July, the governments of the East African Community's eight member states launched a campaign to educate their populations about the disease's risks.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, designated the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a rising number of African nations a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005).

As seen in the organizations official site, different clades of mpox have broken out in various countries in Africa, each with its own mode of transmission and danger levels.

With over 500 deaths at the time from the virus, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had also declared the virus a public health emergency and asked for assistance from neighboring countries to stop its spread.

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European nations commit to aiding Africa with mpox vaccines - Business Insider Africa

Most of the mpox cases and deaths have been in Congo, with a new strain that is likely more transmissible spreading there.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hopes to receive vaccine doses to address its mpox outbreak by next week, the Congolese health minister said on Monday.

More than 16,000 mpox cases have been confirmed in the country and roughly 570 deaths, with the virus spreading in some 17 African countries, the DRC's health minister Samuel Roger Kamba told reporters.

The mortality of the virus in the DRC is currently at around 3.4 per cent, he added.

"The vaccine is only part of the response. The first response is hygiene measures," Kamba said. "It is contact that spreads the disease," he added.

The outbreak in multiple African countries prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) last week to declare mpox a global health emergency.

The infectious disease, caused by the monkeypox virus, can cause a rash or lesions which can spread through close contact or sex.

Kamba said the DRC needed some 3.5 million vaccine doses against mpox to protect people, adding that once the country gets vaccines they will need to use them despite people's hesitancy.

Most cases and deaths globally have been in Congo.

Young people and children are the most impacted there, the minister added, pointing out that people who had the smallpox vaccine have protection against mpox, but since these vaccinations stopped in the 1980s, young people are still susceptible.

The international organisation Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance said it planned from 2026 to establish a "global stockpile" of mpox vaccines and in the interim to support the outbreak response in the DRC.

European health authorities raised the risk level for mpox last week, saying it is "highly likely" there will be more imported cases of mpox clade I, the strain that is spreading in Africa.

The variant of mpox that caused the 2022 outbreak, called clade II, continues to circulate in Europe.

"Two years ago, we controlled mpox in Europe thanks to the direct engagement with the most affected communities of men who have sex with men," Hans Kluge, WHO's regional director for Europe, said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We put in place robust surveillance; we thoroughly investigated new cases contacts; and we provided sound public health advice... Learning from our success, we urged governments and health authorities to sustain those measures to help eliminate mpox from Europe.

"But through a lack of commitment and a lack of resources we failed to go the last mile," Kluge said, adding that Europe should refocus on surveillance and diagnostics given the new emergency related to mpox clade I.

There is also a need for Europe "to act in solidarity" with the African region, he said, pointing out, however, that mpox is not the new COVID-19.

Sweden reported its first case of the new strain of mpox that is circulating in the DRC and is thought to be more transmissible.

The Swedish public health agency said, however, that the imported case "does not affect the risk to the general population".

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DRC hopes to receive mpox vaccines to address health emergency next week - Euronews

Following the World Health Organisation declaring monkeypox a viral infection and public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)-the highest level of warning-molecular virologist at Banaras Hindu University and director of B R Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research (ACBR) and Delhi School of Public Health (DSPH), Prof Sunit K Singh, said the situation is not as alarming as it was in the case of Covid-19. "It is high time to adopt a global approach to tackle the monkeypox outbreak by judiciously considering surveillance programs and testing at ports of entry, especially for those coming from countries affected by this outbreak. Govt of India is taking all necessary steps to handle any emergency situation. There are no cases reported in India so far, so there is no need to panic," he said. The common symptoms include fever, skin rashes, sore throat, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. The modes of transmission from an infected person may occur through very close contact, kissing, sex, and respiratory droplets. Dr. Singh said that compared to Covid-19, we are in a far better position in terms of availability of monkeypox vaccines. "In the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we started developing Covid-19 vaccines while the disease was progressing, but for monkeypox, we have vaccine platforms and vaccines specifically designed against smallpox," he said. "The monkeypox viruses are closely related to the smallpox virus, which is why the smallpox vaccine is reported to be 85% effective in preventing monkeypox," he added. Thailand has confirmed its first case of the Mpox Clade 1b variant, marking the second time this strain has been identified outside Africa and the first one in Asia. According to Reuters, the patient is a 66-year-old European man who arrived in Thailand last week from an unspecified African country where the disease was prevalent. The Clade 1b variant has raised global concern due to its potential for rapid spread through close contact. Sweden reported a case of this variant last week, linking it to an ongoing outbreak in Africa, making it the first evidence of the strain's spread outside the continent. The World Health Organization has declared the recent outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after the identification of this new variant. Dr. Singh, however, said this is not the first instance of monkeypox virus infection reported outside endemic regions of Western and Central Africa. "In 2003, a monkeypox outbreak was reported in the USA," he said. In 1958, outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research purposes, hence the name 'monkeypox.' The first human case of monkeypox virus infection was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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'Monkeypox contagious, but not like Covid' - The Times of India

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global public health emergency as the mpox virus ravages the African continent with cases having spiked by 160% this year. As Bavarian Nordic ramps up production of the only marketed mpox vaccine, a few clinical trials are underway to combat the outbreak.

The Danish biotechs vaccine, called Jynneos, was approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022, and is the only one that has widespread approval to target the virus. This was also the year that a previous mpox outbreak hit parts of the world, such as countries in Europe and North America, where the virus is not endemic.

The viral infection, formerly known as monkeypox, which can spread through close contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated objects, results in rashes, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands. While the severity can vary from person to person, extreme cases can cause death. But this time around, a new, deadlier strain of the mpox virus called clade 1 has been spotted in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has been spreading at an alarming rate, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Now, Bavarian Nordic is scaling up production to ensure fair access and said that it will work along with the Africa CDC and the WHO to contain the spread. So far, this year, more than 500 deaths have been reported in Africa, crossing 2023 figures. The biotech aims to manufacture 10 million doses of Jynneos by the end of 2025 with plans to supply up to 2 million doses this year.

JYNNEOS is a live, non-replicating vaccine that elicits immune responses to a group of viruses known as orthopoxviruses. It contains a weakened form of the vaccinia virus, which is related to the monkeypox and smallpox viruses, and cannot copy itself in the human body.

However, as countries suffered Jynneos shortages in 2022, more trials are underway at present, to test investigational vaccines and drugs to tackle the epidemic.

A major concern among U.S. legislative leaders and government medical countermeasure operations is the sole dependence on a single non-U.S. supplier for supply of a critically needed medical countermeasure such as the mpox/smallpox vaccine.

There is only one authorized supplier of the MVA vaccine (Bavarian Nordic), which has insufficient production capacity to meet the existing and forecasted needs, said David Dodd, chief executive officer (CEO) of American biotech GeoVax. Health authorities in Africa recently stated that 10 million doses are needed, but only 200,000 doses are available. Unfortunately, Jynneos is produced in a manufacturing process that is constrained in the production yield and speed of production.

GeoVax expects to change this situation, initially as the first U.S.-based supplier of an Modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine, and also implement an advanced manufacturing process that provides higher production yield faster at lower cost, added Dodd.

GeoVaxs GEO-MVA is very similar to Jynneos as they are both derived from the same initial MVA parental line. The MVA vaccine provides protective immunity against mpox and smallpox, which is why MVA is used worldwide as the protective vaccine against both mpox and stockpiled by the U.S. government as a medical countermeasure against a potential bioterrorism threat utilizing smallpox, explained Dodd. GEO-MVA and Jynneos are anticipated to provide similar protection against mpox and smallpox, and therefore, an expedited regulatory pathway is expected to be finalized soon.

Due to the current insufficient supply of MVA vaccines, especially with reports of infection outside of Africa, like Sweden, where a case of the new strain was confirmed, GeoVax is in talks with U.S. legislators and global regulators to authorize and boost MVA vaccine supply.

The basic need for manufacturing the mpox vaccine has been met, and we are ready to advance towards the vaccine product manufacturing process. The company is actively engaging with U.S. and global stakeholders to discuss how we can contribute to countermeasure activities, said Dodd.

Moreover, the biotech seeks to accelerate the production of MVA vaccines regardless of GEO-MVA or Jynneos. These vaccines typically use cells derived from specially sourced chickens, which is a lengthy process. The company has validated an advanced MVA manufacturing process that does not depend on these chickens to overcome the limitation of a slower, more complex manufacturing process, at a time when it is challenged to respond promptly to epidemics or pandemics. So instead, an avian cell line will be ten times more efficient, explained Dodd.

While currently the chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEF)-based manufacturing process remains for GEO-MVA and Jynneos, GeoVax is transitioning to the advanced manufacturing process. The benefit will be to increase the supply of MVA vaccine more quickly, thereby expanding the global supply available, without being dependent upon stockpiling as the manner to develop mpox vaccine supply, said Dodd.

Meanwhile, mRNA giant Modernas vaccine the biotech famed for developing one of the COVID-19 vaccines is being trialed in the U.K. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the U.K. is calling for healthy people aged between 18 and 49 to take part in the study.

However, it has been a let down on the treatment front. The antiviral pill tecovirimat, also known as TPOXX, has been in the clinic for a while now. It works by interfering with a protein that is present on the surface of the virus to hinder it from replicating, thereby slowing the spread of infection. But last weeks disappointing trial results found that the drug is no better than placebo.

Thus far, the majority of mpox cases has been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and surrounding areas within that region. The Africa CDC, along with the DRC Ministry of Health and the WHO are leading the counter-effort, explained Dodd. And, smallpox vaccines like American biotech Emergent BioSolutions ACAM2000 will be used to dampen infection rates in the DRC as well as the other impacted countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Around 50,000 doses will be sent to the affected regions. With the possibility of more than one MVA vaccine for rollout and expedited manufacture, hopes of controlling the spread of the deadly virus remain.

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Fighting mpox: promising vaccines to watch - Labiotech.eu

5 min read Last Updated : Aug 22 2024 | 10:16 AM IST

Traveller, stay on watch. On August 14, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the recent upsurge in Mpox cases a global health emergency. The situation is raising alarms, particularly in Africa, where the disease could potentially spread further across the continent and beyond.

Since 2022, the WHO has reported 99,176 Mpox cases and 208 deaths across 116 countries. In India, a total of 30 cases have been detected since the 2022 declaration, with the most recent case reported in March 2024.

What is Mpox, and how does it spread?

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It manifests with a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. The virus spreads through close contact with infected individuals or animals, with transmission possible via skin lesions, direct skin-to-skin contact, and proximity to an infected person.

What measures are countries taking to protect travellers?

The Indian government has directed airports, ports, and border authorities to stay vigilant in response to the global rise in Mpox cases. According to reports, central hospitals such as Safdarjung, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Lady Hardinge will have facilities for isolating suspected Mpox cases.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The DRC is currently experiencing its worst Mpox outbreak, with a 160% increase in cases and a 19% rise in deaths compared to last year.

Indonesia

Indonesia's Health Ministry has introduced stringent health screening protocols for foreign visitors. Travellers must now complete forms disclosing their medical history and recent travel activities upon entry. To ensure early detection, the Ministry has designated 12 state laboratories nationwide to monitor and identify potential Mpox cases.

China

Chinese authorities have implemented strict travel restrictions for individuals showing Mpox symptoms. Enhanced airport surveillance measures have been introduced to isolate and test affected travellers. Those with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, or rash must report their condition upon entry. These measures will remain in force for six months.

South Africa

South Africa has launched a new airport screening initiative aimed at identifying and addressing potential Mpox cases among arriving travellers. This proactive measure is part of a broader strategy to enhance early detection and containment of the virus.

Kenya

Kenya has introduced testing procedures for travellers entering the country to identify Mpox cases and prevent their spread. Although only mild cases have been detected thus far, these measures are seen as crucial for monitoring and managing the outbreak.

Nigeria

Nigeria has implemented a mandatory declaration process for travellers heading to specific African regions. Travellers must complete a declaration form, either at the airport or online, to aid in tracking and controlling Mpox transmission.

Pakistan

Border Health Services in Pakistan have called for heightened monitoring and protective measures. Officials are closely monitoring travellers and implementing rigorous health checks to curb the spread of Mpox.

What should travellers do to avoid getting Mpox?

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has issued guidelines for travellers to protect themselves against Mpox infection:

1. If eligible, get vaccinated with two doses of the Mpox vaccine before travelling. Use the Mpox Vaccine Locator to find vaccination sites.

2. Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like Mpox.

3. Do not touch the rash or scabs of an infected person.

4. Refrain from kissing, hugging, cuddling, or having sex with someone with Mpox.

5. Avoid contact with objects and materials used by an infected person.

6. Do not share eating utensils or cups with someone who has Mpox.

7. Do not handle or touch bedding, towels, clothing, or personal items of an infected person.

8. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, especially before eating or touching your face.

What to do if you have Mpox symptoms or have been exposed?

If you have symptoms of Mpox or have been in close contact with someone who has it, speak to your healthcare provider about testing and treatment. The CDC recommends vaccination for those exposed to Mpox or at higher risk.

Do not travel if you have Mpox

If you are infected with Mpox, isolate at home until your symptoms are gone and your rash has healed completely. If travel is unavoidable, ensure you do not have a fever or respiratory symptoms and take additional steps to prevent spreading the virus.

Travellers who test positive for Mpox while abroad may be subject to local public health laws, including isolation requirements. Similarly, those exposed to Mpox may need to quarantine according to local regulations. It is advisable to consider travel health and medical evacuation insurance, as treatment options may be limited in some countries.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), travellers planning to visit affected areas should consult their healthcare provider or travel health clinic regarding vaccination eligibility.

First Published: Aug 22 2024 | 10:16 AM IST

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Mpox outbreak: What travellers from US, India, & other countries must know - Business Standard

Serum Institute of India on Tuesday said it is currently working to develop a vaccine for Monkeypox, with positive outcomes expected in a year's time. The World Health Organisation on August 14 declared the Mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The move came after a sudden increase in cases was recorded in parts of Africa.

In India, around 30 Mpox cases have been detected since 2022. The most recent case in the country was reported in March 2024.

The Union Health ministry has issued advisories highlighting that scrutiny at airports and seaports, especially at international entry points will increase.

The government has declared three hospitals -- Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College -- as nodal centres for the isolation, management and treatment of patients.

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Serum Institute says working to develop Monkeypox vaccine - The Economic Times