Learn about the new global health emergency, the mpox outbreak, including its origins, symptoms, transmission, and global impact.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared that mpox spreading rapidly in Africa has become a global health emergency. They cautioned that there is a risk of the virus seeping across borders into other countries.
After a discussion held by the emergency committee of the U.N. health agency, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that mpox has been declared as a public health emergency in Africa. This declaration follows an earlier announcement made on Tuesday by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The World Health Organization reported that Africa has recorded over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths this year, surpassing last year’s numbers.
As of now, Congo has accounted for over 96% of the total cases and fatalities. The spread of a novel strain in that region is causing unease among researchers who fear it could be transmitted more effortlessly between individuals.
Take a glimpse at our understanding of mpox and potential ways to restrain its spread:
Could you explain the meaning of mpox?
The disease Mpox, commonly referred to as monkeypox, was initially discovered by scientists in 1958 during episodes of an ailment that mimicked the symptoms of pox-like diseases in monkeys. In most cases before now, humans who have contracted this disease were inhabitants of central and West Africa with a proximity or direct exposure to infected animals.
The year 2022 witnessed the first-ever confirmation of sexual transmission of the virus, which resulted in outbreaks occurring in over 70 countries worldwide that had no prior history with mpox.
Mpox is part of the virus family that includes smallpox, but its symptoms are less severe. Symptoms may include fever, chills and body aches with more serious cases causing lesions on various parts of the body including face, hands, chest and genitals.
Why is there so much concern about what’s happening in Africa?
There has been a significant increase in the number of cases. The Africa CDC stated last week that mpox has surfaced in 13 African nations at minimum. According to the agency, compared to this time last year, there is a 160% rise in instances and deaths have gone up by 19%.
A new variant of mpox surfaced in a mining town located in the Congo earlier this year, which scientists claimed could fatally affect 10% of those infected and potentially spread at an accelerated pace.
In contrast to past occurrences of mpox, wherein lesions were predominant on the chest, hands and feet; this novel variant presents with less severe symptoms and affects genital regions. As a result, it becomes challenging to detect its presence thereby increasing chances for inadvertent transmission from unsuspecting carriers.
It was reported that mpox has been newly discovered in four East African nations- Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The root of each outbreak could be traced back to the existing epidemic situation in Congo. Tedros expressed apprehension regarding the potential dispersal of this disease not just within Africa but also globally.
Reports from health authorities in Ivory Coast and South Africa indicate an outbreak of a distinct, less severe strain of mpox that had previously spread across the globe in 2022.
What is the meaning of an emergency declaration?
The purpose of the emergency declaration by WHO is to motivate donor agencies and countries towards action, although previous declarations have received a mixed response from across the world.
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The Director General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya explained that the agency’s announcement of a public health emergency was aimed at rallying our institutions, resources and collective willpower to act promptly and resolutely in this crisis. He implored international partners to come forth with assistance as the increasing number of cases across Africa has been largely disregarded up till now.
Michael Marks, a professor of medicine at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine stated that it is evident that current control methods are ineffective and there exists an urgent requirement for additional resources. He also emphasized if declaring a global health emergency can help provide these necessary measures then it should be done without hesitation.
How does the current outbreak in Africa differ from the 2022 epidemic?
In 2022, during the worldwide prevalence of mpox, gay and bisexual individuals constituted a significant majority of the infected cases. The virus was primarily transmitted through intimate contact such as sexual activity.
While Africa has shown some comparable trends, in Congo, over 70% of mpox cases and 85% of fatalities are currently attributed to children under the age of fifteen.
Tedros announced that officials were addressing multiple mpox outbreaks across different countries, each having unique transmission methods and risk levels, prior to their emergency meeting.
According to him, putting an end to these outbreaks will necessitate a customized and all-inclusive reaction.
The Congo director of Save the Children, Greg Ramm expressed concern regarding mpox spreading in overcrowded refugee camps located on the eastern side. He mentioned that there were 345,000 children who live crammed into unhygienic tents which is alarming for their health status. According to him, due to malnutrition, measles and cholera; the country’s healthcare system had already started failing under extreme pressure.
According to Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases specialist at Emory University, the reason for mpox disproportionately affecting children in Congo remains uncertain. One possibility is that children are more vulnerable to the virus while another could be linked to social factors like overcrowding and exposure from infected parents.
What are the ways to stop mpox?
In numerous countries, the mpox outbreak of 2022 was contained mainly by administering vaccines and treatments in affluent nations while persuading individuals to refrain from perilous conduct. However, only a meager number of vaccines or treatments were obtainable in Africa.
According to Marks, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, it is probable that vaccination would be beneficial. This includes administering smallpox immunizations for protection against a related virus.
“Sex workers, children and adults living in outbreak regions need to be vaccinated urgently. Therefore, we must ensure a vast amount of vaccine supply is available,” he stated.
Congo has initiated discussions with donors regarding potential donations of vaccines and received financial assistance from both Britain and the U.S.
An amount of $1.45 million had already been released by WHO from its emergency fund to aid the mpox response in Africa; however, an initial sum of $15 million is required for further funding it.
