What We Know About Mpox and How to Protect Yourself

Overview of Mpox

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a disease that primarily affects humans and animals and belongs to the same viral family as smallpox. Despite causing milder symptoms than smallpox, it can result in severe illness and mortality in certain cases.

Recent Developments

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a “public health emergency,” as cases continue to rise globally. In Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the outbreak has reached unprecedented levels since 2022, with tens of thousands of reported infections. As of June 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported a 160% increase in cases compared to the previous year.

Global Spread of Clade 1 Strain

Countries Reporting Cases

Recently, two countries outside Africa have reported cases of mpox linked to the new clade 1 strain:

Pakistan: The Ministry of National Health Services confirmed its first case on Friday, with the infected individual having returned from Saudi Arabia. Genome sequencing is being conducted to identify the specific strain of the virus.
Sweden: Health officials confirmed the country’s first case of mpox on Thursday, identifying it as the clade 1 strain. The infected individual contracted the virus while in Africa and is currently receiving treatment.
Indonesia: The strain types and details have yet to be confirmed
Phillipines: The strain types and details have yet to be confirmed

Transmission Dynamics

Clade 1 is associated with a higher incidence of severe infections and appears to transmit more readily through close contact, including sexual contact. Following these developments, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has elevated its risk alert level from “low” to “moderate,” urging heightened awareness among travellers from affected regions.

Pathophysiology of Mpox

Mechanism of Infection

Mpox infects humans primarily through broken skin or respiratory pathways. Once the virus enters the body, it proliferates via the bloodstream, leading to flu-like symptoms and lesions on the skin. According to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, mpox does not have direct adverse effects on the immune system; rather, it may cause transient immune responses without long-term impacts.

Symptoms

The clinical presentation of mpox includes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches, accompanied by pus-filled lesions on the skin. While most individuals experience mild illness characterised by five to twenty-five lesions, some may develop severe forms with extensive lesions across the body.

Risk Factors for Severe Symptoms

Certain populations are at an increased risk for severe manifestations of mpox:

Individuals with Untreated HIV: Those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to severe disease.
Children: They appear to be at a heightened risk due to several factors, including greater likelihood of close contact in densely populated areas and their developing immune systems.

Treatment and Vaccination

Currently, no specific treatment exists for mpox; however, antiviral drugs are under investigation. Vaccination has proven effective in reducing infection risk. The priority is to ensure adequate vaccine supplies for high-risk populations in the DRC and surrounding areas.

Vaccine Accessibility

Unfortunately, many African nations lack access to the mpox vaccine. CDC noted that any remaining vaccines are stockpiled in Western countries as part of their emergency preparedness strategies. Through donations, Africa CDC has secured 280,000 doses; however, with a two-dose regimen required for efficacy, this equates to only 140,000 individuals being fully vaccinated. Vaccines availability in other countries remains uncertain.

Prevention Strategies

To mitigate the risk of infection, public health officials recommend:

Practising good personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing.
Avoiding close contact with individuals displaying symptoms of mpox.
Seeking medical attention if symptoms manifest to facilitate prompt containment.

In regions where vaccination is accessible, mpox vaccines can significantly protect against infection.

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