On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years. This declaration follows a significant outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its spread to neighbouring African countries. As the WHOs highest alert level, a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) aims to expedite research, funding, and international cooperation to control the disease.Alarm Raised by African Health AuthoritiesEarlier this week, Africas leading public health body also labelled mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, an emergency due to its alarming spread. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 17,000 suspected cases and 517 deaths across the continent this year—a 160% increase from the previous year. Infections have been reported in 13 countries.Clade I and II: The Two StrainsMpox consists of two primary viral clades: I and II. Both can be transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated materials. The current outbreak in Congo is linked to clade I, which is more transmissible and severe compared to clade II. A new variant, clade Ib, appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual activity. This strain has now spread to Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, prompting the WHOs intervention. 🚨BREAKING: WHO DECLARES GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY OVER MPOX OUTBREAKThe WHO has declared a global health emergency as Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, spreads rapidly across 13 African countries, including the DRC, where 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have been reported.This… pic.twitter.com/TVpinHjiNL— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 14, 2024Previous and Current StrainsIn 2022, the global spread of mpox was attributed to clade IIb, which was less severe than clade I. The WHO had previously declared a public health emergency for this strain, though the situation has improved since then, with average daily cases in the U.S. falling to zero by August 1, 2024. Despite this, the CDC has advised vigilance, particularly for travellers to the DRC and surrounding regions.Preparation and Vaccination EffortsIn response to the potential threat, the CDC has issued a travel advisory for the DRC and its neighbours, recommending enhanced precautions and immediate medical attention if symptoms appear. While a vaccine for mpox is available in the U.S., it is not widely accessible in the DRC. The U.S. is donating 50,000 doses to help address this gap. The CDC advises vaccination for those at higher risk, including men who have sex with men, as the vaccine is effective against both mpox clades.
