On Aug. 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified Mpox virus, which is surging across several African countries, as a public health emergency of international concern. This action will help mobilize global and regional public health resources to better monitor and respond to the threats posed.
Naturally, in the wake of COVID-19, this has many people worried were about to relive the collective trauma of lockdowns and fears of acquiring a potentially deadly virus. As an epidemiologist who studies the intersection of infectious diseases and social life, I share these concerns, but, at this point, I believe the WHOs announcement should raise caution, not cause panic.
Mpox, once referred to as monkeypox, is a virus that causes flu-like symptoms and skin blisters across the body. Fortunately, the virus is mostly spread through direct contact with infected lesions or bodily fluids, or through contaminated materials like bedding. This means it is not typically as contagious as respiratory diseases such as COVID. However, it can also spread through respiratory droplets, although this only typically occurs with prolonged close contact in areas with limited ventilation.
These characteristics explain why historically Mpox outbreaks have typically been limited to densely interconnected sexual networks and in venues where physical contact may be prolonged, such as in night clubs.
However, the current situation in Africa is showing that some of these characteristics are changing. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring countries, it appears that a more deadly, more virulent version of the virus arising from a strain referred to as Clade 2 is taking hold. This is evidenced by the fact that several African countries that had not previously seen transmission are now seeing increased spread.
As well, public health officials note transmission in children, suggesting that this more virulent form may require less physical contact than we observed in the transmission of Clade 1, which caused a global outbreak in 2022.
There is also evidence this strain is more deadly, with mortality rates of between three and five per cent, which considerably exceeds the average mortality rate of COVID-19.
With all this in mind, its natural to ask, Should we be worried?
At the moment, the WHOs actions indicate that the international public health community should pay attention and prepare for a possible large-scale international outbreak of Mpox something it has failed to do in recent decades.
Most importantly, its declaration allows for enhanced global collaboration to monitor the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding countries. It also makes it possible to prioritize the availability of vaccines in those regions to bring viral transmission under control.
We are fortunate, in Canada, to have an excellent public health surveillance system and to have some access to vaccine supplies for Mpox. The existing Mpox vaccines are safe and effective. Currently, their use is prioritized for high-risk populations, such as gay and bisexual men and people employed in sex work.
If transmission begins in other populations, it is likely that production of the Mpox vaccine could be increased and supplies would be more broadly available to meet demand and need. But it is important to note that redirecting those vaccines will limit their availability to African countries that lack the necessary biomanufacturing capacity to produce them.
As well, Canada is fortunate to have world-class medical facilities that can provide necessary treatment and care to people who might experience vulnerability to Mpox virus. All of these factors suggest that Canada will be well equipped to respond to potential outbreaks, provided, of course, that we all do our part.
Perhaps the most valuable insight and lesson from this situation is the importance of global health equity. Mpox has been endemic in African countries for decades first attracting attention in the 1960s and 1970s. Our global failure to address the transmission sooner has directly contributed to the threats we are facing today.
Allowing uncontrolled spread of a virus as potentially dangerous as Mpox has been a massive public health failure especially since there are effective vaccines that could lead to the eradication of Mpox if appropriately used.
This of course is not the first time weve learned the importance of health equity. During the 2022 outbreak of Mpox, which primarily affected gay and bisexual men, it is clear that transmission only halted because communities worked closely with public health officials. Individuals took action to limit their personal risk and public health systems helped fund awareness and vaccine promotion efforts.
The same level of collaboration among communities at high risk will be needed should this new more virulent strain of Mpox reach the global stage.
While the current situation with Mpox is concerning, there is not yet any reason to panic.
However, as the situation develops, we must pay attention to the advice of public health leaders and be ready to take appropriate actions. In doing so, we must be especially ready to adopt a reasoned public health response that prioritizes vaccines for the communities that need them the most.
Read the original:
- Monkey pox, Afraid? Fear Less & Care More! - Healthieyoo [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: August 18th, 2022]
- Monkey Pox Cases Climb to Over 1400 in Florida - WQCS [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2022] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2022]
- Monkey Pox Vaccines - by Robert W Malone MD, MS [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2022]
- Dude Tells How He Figured Out He Has Monkey Pox "When It Was In My ... [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2022]
- Monkey Pox - Drishti IAS [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2022]
- Local universities monitoring monkeypox in the region - WJHL-TV News Channel 11 [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2022]
- Bono Region confirms case of Monkey Pox - Ghana Business News [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2022]
- Ware reports first case of monkey pox case in town - MassLive.com [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2022]
- Happening in Health: signs and symptoms of Monkey Pox - KGET 17 [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2022]
- Breaking news! Scientist confirm the new version of monkey pox ... [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2022]
- IG thot in Georgia contracts monkey pox [WARNING GRAPHIC] [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2022]
- First case of Monkey Pox reported in Kings County - Hanford Sentinel [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2022]
- Joe Bidens Monkey Pox Director Disturbing photos [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2022]
- Dude with monkey pox ooze'ing all over the store - Godlike Productions [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2022]
- Worries over stigma are driving a push to rename monkeypox, but the process is slow - CNN [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2022]
- Ondo health workers rue brain drain, stretched to battle monkeypox - Punch Newspapers [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2022]
- Health Officials Report Covid-19 Infections as Monkey Pox Inches Closer to the Concho Valley - San Angelo LIVE! [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2022]
- Dog catches monkey pox from French gay owners [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2022]
- HHS Alerts Health Sector to Monkeypox-Themed Phishing Campaign - HomeCare [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2022]
- Plateau records 7 cases of Monkey Pox virus [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2022] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2022]
- Domestic violence victim tested positive for Monkeypox and got kicked out of her temporary shelter - News10NBC [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2022] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2022]
- Ohio reports third U.S. death of person with monkeypox who had underlying health conditions - CNBC [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2022] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2022]
- Preventing Monkey Pox and Bringing Unity to Community at SoCal LGBTQ+ ... [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2022] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2022]
- Sarpy County announces its first case of Monkey Pox - iHeart [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2022] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2022]
- Monkey pox: A public health emergency - PMC [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2022] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2022]
- Monkey pox The Island - The Island.lk [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2022] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2022]
- Port Arthur Health Department Director to speak on COVID, HIV and Monkey Pox - Port Arthur News - The Port Arthur News [Last Updated On: November 16th, 2022] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2022]
- Fact check: Americans continue to spread monkeypox at reduced rates [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2022]
- What ever happened to Monkey pox? : r/conspiracy [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2022]
- Monkeypox virus - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 10th, 2022] [Originally Added On: December 10th, 2022]
- Monkey Pox (Orthopox Virus) | Baltimore City Health Department [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2022] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2022]
- Monkey pox virus - The Nation [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2023] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2023]
- Project Coordinator (Monkey Pox) - Salary.com [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2023] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2023]
- Australia develops first-of-its-kind tool for detection of monkey pox ... - BSA bureau [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2023] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2023]
- Vietnam strives to raise female UN peacekeepers to 20% by 2025 - http://en.vietnamplus.vn/ [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2023] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2023]
- Two recent mpox cases not linked to earlier ones, says Health DG - The Star Online [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2023] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2023]
- Bali Airport Increases Screening Measures On Tourists After Viral ... - The Bali Sun [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2023] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2023]
- Two Idaho residents diagnosed with monkey pox virus after out-of-state travel - Idaho News [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2023] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2023]
- WHO Collaborating Centre highlights the power of modelling for ... - ReliefWeb [Last Updated On: November 11th, 2023] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2023]
- Fading from global headlines, mpox continues to trouble its 'cradle ... - Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance [Last Updated On: November 17th, 2023] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2023]
- Monkey Pox case identified in PP - Khmer Times [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2023] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2023]
- Mpox, dengue fever and covid among health threats for 2024, according to experts - The Mirror [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2023] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2023]
- Mpox isn't over and a new strain is sounding the alarm - QnotesCarolinas.com - QnotesCarolinas.com [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2023] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2023]
- Far-right activist jailed for offensive language while claiming gay people caused monkey pox virus in Spain - The Olive Press [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2023] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2023]
- WHO warns monkey pox could spread around the world again - Khmer Times [Last Updated On: January 3rd, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 3rd, 2024]
- Spate of monkey pox cases in Singapore in the last four months of 2023 - 25 cases confirmed by health ministry - The Star Online [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2024]
- Health Ministry confirms three new cases of Mpox in Phnom Penh - Khmer Times [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2024]
- Cambodia reports sixth confirmed case of monkey pox - The Star Online [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2024]
- Milwaukee resident tests positive for mpox, marks 40 cases since summer 2022 - Fox11online.com [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2024]
- Rising issue - Cambodia records 10th confirmed case of monkey pox - The Star Online [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2024]
- Kids and staff at one Philly school were potentially exposed to monkey pox, but health officials say the risk is 'very low' - The Philadelphia... [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2024]
- What is Mpox? Potential monkey pox exposure at school in Port Richmond - Toowoomba Chronicle [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2024]
- Scientists report positive immune response against mpox using a COVID-19 vaccine - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2024]
- Virginia Department of Health seeing an increase in reported mpox cases - InsideNoVa [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2024]
- South Kivu: within six months, 239 cases of Monkeypox including 3 deaths reported in Mwenga and Bukavu. - Digitalcongo.net [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2024]
- Vaccines urged amidst rise in Measles and Mpox cases - WSET [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2024]
- Ministry finds 3 new cases of Mpox - Khmer Times [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2024]
- Monkey pox symptoms to spot amid new outbreak in Congo - GB News [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2024]
- Health officials in Akron, Cleveland report mpox monkey pox outbreak - Akron Beacon Journal [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2024]
- WHO expresses concern over monkey pox outbreak in DR Congo National Accord Newspaper - National Accord [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2024]
- Health minister calls for vigilance after positive case of monkey pox - DFA [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2024]
- Eight cases of monkey pox in Queensland - race is on to find the source of cluster - InQueensland [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2024]
- Over 800 Cases of Monkey Pox Recorded in South Kivu - Taarifa Rwanda [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2024]
- Five cases of Mpox in SA with one death reported Joe Phaahla - POLITICS - Politicsweb [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2024]
- South Africa receives first Mpox treatment amid rising cases - The Citizen [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2024]
- Urgent warning to two Australian states as new cases of a highly infectious disease are detected - Daily Mail [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2024]
- Health Dept urges SAns to seek medical attention if they suspect mpox symptoms - EWN [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2024]
- BMA to screen travellers at ports amid 13 Mpox cases - African Travel and Tourism Association [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2024]
- MPox cases up to 11 this year says CT DPH | fox61.com - FOX61 Hartford [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2024]
- Huge rise in monkey pox cases in DR Congo: Govt - azrbaycan24 [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2024]
- Huge rise in monkeypox cases in DR Congo - The News International [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2024]
- Sweden reports first case of highly infectious mpox virus outside Africa amid outbreak there - Fox News [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2024]
- Mpox outbreak in Africa was neglected it could now turn into the next global pandemic - The Conversation [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2024]
- Mpox: People advised to get vaccine if they are travelling to affected African countries - Sky News [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2024]
- Gavi statement on mpox emergency in Africa - Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2024]
- WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency. What happens next? - The Conversation [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2024]
- Mpox Is Officially a Health Emergency in Africa - TIME [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2024]
- Mpox never stopped spreading in Africa. Now its an international public health emergency. Again. - Vox.com [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2024]
- WHO declares mpox, caused by monkeypox virus, a global emergency: What you need to know - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2024]
- Mpox is officially a global emergency. Heres everything you need to know. - POLITICO Europe [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2024]