Earlier this week, the WHO raised its highest level of alert due to the spread of the viral disease in Africa. Now, Sweden has reported its first case of an infected individual. What exactly is Mpox, and how does it transmit?
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Sweden has identified the first instance of the new Mpox virus variant, clade I, outside of Africa. The Swedish Health Authority stated that the infected individual contracted the virus during a visit to an African area experiencing an outbreak of the disease.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) elevated its alert level due to the virus’s spread in Africa for the second time in two years.
According to WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO is actively collaborating with the affected countries and those at risk.
The Swedish Health Authority indicated that the patient does not pose a threat to the general population. However, WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris cautioned that the new Mpox variant represents a global risk due to its rapid transmission.
“This variant has reached countries in Africa where it has not been previously detected, such as Rwanda, Kenya, and Burundi. We are witnessing numerous cases in Burundi and Uganda, countries that are closely linked to many others around the world. Thus, this presents a threat to the global community.”
Experts believe that clade I could be more contagious than earlier variants and may also lead to more severe infections.
What is Mpox?
Mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, is caused by a virus of the same name, first identified in 1958 in monkeys used for research, according to the WHO.
The first human case was recorded in 1970 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Currently, the virus is endemic in Central and West African countries, but in 2022, it triggered a worldwide outbreak in areas that had previously reported no cases, including Europe.
There are two virus subtypes, known as clades. Clade I, endemic to Central Africa, is thought to cause more severe illness, while Clade II, endemic to West Africa, was responsible for the 2022 outbreak.
A new strain related to clade I, termed clade Ib, has emerged in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and some other African nations, raising concerns. The WHO reports that this new strain “seems to transmit mainly through sexual contact.”
How many cases are there?
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which declared a health emergency this week, reported that the number of suspected Mpox cases across the continent has surpassed 17,000 this year.
The majority of cases are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, testing is limited in rural regions, with only 24 percent of suspected cases in the country tested this year, implying that the actual number may be higher than official statistics suggest.
According to the Africa CDC, over 500 confirmed deaths have occurred, most of which were in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
At least 13 African nations are affected, including those that had not reported Mpox cases previously, like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
On Thursday, the Swedish Health Authority announced it had detected the first case of Clade I outside the African region, from a person who had recently traveled to an outbreak area in Africa.
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What are the symptoms of Mpox?
As per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals with Mpox typically develop a rash that may appear on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or near the genitals.
The rash progresses through various stages and may resemble pimples or blisters, according to the CDC.
Other reported symptoms can include fever, headache, chills, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, muscle or back pain, or respiratory symptoms, as noted by European and U.S. health authorities.
A WHO situation report earlier this week indicated that the most frequently reported symptom was a rash, followed by fever.
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The virus can spread through direct contact with infected wildlife or via close contact with an infected person, including sexual contact, which is the most commonly reported transmission method globally.
The spread of Clade II was particularly driven by sexual contact, especially among men who have sex with men, while the transmission of Clade I through sexual contacts was first documented last year.
How will the WHO statement influence the situation?
“This is a positive development, as it will encourage the government to take action,” remarked Jaime Garcia-Iglesias, Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Biomedicine, Self, and Society, in a conversation with Euronews Health.
He noted that the shortage of diagnostic tools and vaccines in Africa contributed to the disease’s outbreak.
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“The WHO declaration is significant as it will enhance efforts and motivate governments to act,” he added, stating that funding for research and diagnostics and effective communication with communities are essential.
Experts also emphasize the need for further information regarding the virus and its impacts.
How can Mpox be prevented?
Garcia-Iglesias advised that countries should prepare by engaging and collaborating with communities before another crisis emerges.
“Governments need to work together with community organizations and leaders now,” he emphasized.
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Experts are also advocating for a global response to the outbreak, urging countries not to hoard vaccines as was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While two vaccines for Mpox already exist, the WHO asserts that access to these vaccines must be improved.
“The recent surge in Mpox cases in parts of Africa and the emergence of a new, sexually transmitted strain of the monkeypox virus is an emergency, not just for Africa, but for the entire world,” stated Dimie Ogoina, a Nigerian infectious disease expert who chaired the committee advising the WHO on its health emergency declaration for Mpox.
“It can be a highly dangerous infection, and there have been fatalities; however, to understand the mortality rate, we need to grasp the overall number of people infected, including those with milder cases and their severity,” commented Trudie Lang, a professor of global health at the University of Oxford, in response to the WHO’s announcement.
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“This disease particularly affects vulnerable populations and carries significant stigma,” she added, noting that effective public health measures require understanding people’s perceptions and practices.
“Mpox, which originated in Africa, was neglected and then led to a worldwide outbreak in 2022. It is critical to decisively act to prevent history from repeating itself,” Ogoina concluded.
Understanding Mpox: Spread, Symptoms, and Global Warnings
Only in the middle of the week, the WHO raised the highest level of alarm due to the spread of the virus disease in Africa. Now, Sweden has reported an infected person. But what is Mpox, and how does it spread?
Sweden has reported the first case of the new Mpox virus variant, clade I, outside Africa. According to the Swedish Health Authority, the infected person contracted the virus during a stay in an affected African region.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the highest alert level due to the spread of Mpox in Africa – a grave declaration made for the second time in two years.
The WHO is actively working with affected countries and regions at risk, as stated by WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus. The Swedish Health Authority emphasizes that the patient does not pose a threat to the general population, but the WHO warns that the new Mpox variant poses a global risk due to its rapid spread, according to spokeswoman Margaret Harris. “The variant has reached countries in Africa where it has never been seen before, such as Rwanda, Kenya, and Burundi. We are observing many cases in Burundi and Uganda, which are closely connected with countries worldwide. Therefore, this poses a threat to the rest of the world.”
Experts believe that clade I may be more contagious than previous variants and could lead to more severe infections.
What is Mpox?
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is caused by the monkeypox virus, which was first identified in 1958 in laboratory monkeys. The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the current Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus is now endemic in Central and West African countries but led to a global outbreak in 2022 in areas with previously reported cases, including Europe.
Mpox comprises two subtypes known as clades. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa and is believed to result in more severe disease. The 2022 outbreak was primarily attributed to Clade II, which is endemic to West Africa. Additionally, a new strain related to Clade I, named clade Ib, is causing concern in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and other parts of Africa, primarily spreading through sexual contact.
Current Case Statistics
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which declared a health emergency this week, reports that suspected Mpox cases in Africa have exceeded 17,000 this year. The majority of cases have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but testing remains limited in rural areas, as only 24% of suspected cases in the country have been tested this year. This limited testing indicates that the true number of cases may surpass official reports.
Over 500 deaths have been confirmed due to the disease, predominantly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At least 13 African countries now report Mpox cases, including those like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, which had not reported cases previously.
On Thursday, the Swedish Health Authority announced the first notification of Clade I outside Africa, stemming from travel to an outbreak-affected region.
Symptoms of Mpox
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals with Mpox often develop a distinctive rash, manifesting on hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or near the genitals. The rash can progress through various stages, potentially resembling pimples or blisters.
Other symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Physical weakness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Muscle or back pain
- Respiratory problems
According to a WHO situation report, the most frequently reported symptom is a rash, followed closely by fever.
Transmission of Mpox
Mpox can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or human-to-human contact. Close contact, especially sexual contact, is considered the most prevalent form of transmission worldwide. The transmission of Clade II is primarily associated with sexual contact, particularly among men who have sex with men, whereas the sexual transmission of Clade I was documented last year.
WHO Alert Impact on Global Response
“The WHO declaration is a constructive response that will motivate governments to take action,” stated Jaime Garcia-Iglesias of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Biomedicine, Self, and Society. He highlighted the inadequate diagnostic tools and vaccine availability in Africa, which have exacerbated the outbreak.
The declaration is vital as it will urge governments to bolster efforts against Mpox, including funding for research, diagnostics, and effective communication with the local communities. More information regarding the virus and its implications is also crucial.
Preventive Measures Against Mpox
Experts, including Garcia-Iglesias, advocate for proactive measures where governments actively engage with community organizations and leaders to prepare against future outbreaks. There is a clarion call for a robust global response to address the disease outbreak, urging nations to avoid hoarding vaccines as was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, two vaccines exist against Mpox; however, improving access to these vaccines is essential, according to the WHO. “The surge in Mpox cases in parts of Africa and the emergence of a new strain associated with sexual transmission represent an urgent global emergency,” explained Dimie Ogoina, a Nigerian infectious disease specialist who advised the WHO regarding the declaration of a health emergency for Mpox.
“Mpox can be a dangerous infection resulting in fatalities, but understanding the mortality rate necessitates a clearer insight into the total infected, including those with milder cases,” added Trudie Lang, professor of global health at the University of Oxford, in response to the WHO’s statement.
Addressing Stigmas and Awareness
Mpox predominantly affects vulnerable populations, carrying significant stigma. Effective public health strategies must align with understanding community perceptions and practices regarding the disease. “Mpox, originating in Africa, faced neglect there but subsequently led to a global outbreak in 2022. It is critical to act decisively to avert history from repeating itself,” emphasized Ogoina.
In summary, Mpox is a significant public health concern that demands immediate global attention and action.
