By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
The Rise and Spread of Mpox: An Emerging Global Health Concern
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that has been known to scientists since the late 1950s. However, recent developments suggest that the virus has undergone significant changes in the past few years, enabling it to spread more effectively among humans.
Origins and Misconceptions
The first documented discovery of the virus occurred in monkeys in a Danish laboratory, but despite its name, monkeys are not the primary carriers of the virus. Sagan Friant, an anthropologist at Pennsylvania State University who has studied mpox in Nigeria for over 15 years, explains that the actual reservoir of the virus is likely rodents, not monkeys. Reservoirs are animals that can carry and transmit the disease without being affected by it themselves. In December 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially renamed the virus "mpox" to reduce confusion and stigma associated with its original name.
Zoonotic Transmission and Human Infection
Mpox is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans, and, in some cases, from human to human. This characteristic places it in the same category as other zoonotic diseases, including COVID 19. Although mpox has been recognized for many years, it has recently garnered global attention due to a surge in cases, particularly in Africa, where it is endemic.
In August 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared a public health emergency following the emergence of a new variant of mpox. This variant has led to a growing number of cases and deaths across countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Rwanda.
Historical Context and Recent Outbreaks
The virus was first identified in 1958 in Copenhagen, Denmark, after being detected in monkeys imported from Singapore. The first human case was reported in 1970 when a nine month old boy in the DRC was diagnosed with the virus. Despite living in an area populated by monkeys, the exact source of his infection remained unclear.
Since then, mpox has appeared in various African countries and even caused an outbreak in the United States in 2003, believed to be linked to infected prairie dogs. More recently, since May 2022, outbreaks have been reported in multiple countries, including the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. While these outbreaks have concerned global health authorities, the number of cases outside Africa remains much lower than those within the continent. The DRC alone has reported over 19,000 cases and 900 deaths since January 2023.
Understanding the Virus's Evolution
The surge in mpox cases since 2022 has prompted a deeper investigation into the virus's origins and its recent mutations. Genetic analysis indicates that the virus causing the current outbreaks likely originated from West Africa. However, there is still no clear link to any specific endemic country, leading experts to believe that the virus may have been circulating undetected in human populations outside Africa for some time.
Preliminary research suggests that the West African mpox virus (clade II) might have acquired the ability to spread between humans as early as 2017. Since then, it has accumulated numerous mutations, some of which may help it evade immune defenses. More recently, a new variant, known as clade Ib, has been identified in the DRC, particularly in the area around Goma. This variant appears to spread more easily through close contact, especially among children under 15 years old.
Transmission and Symptoms
Unlike COVID 19, which spreads primarily through respiratory droplets, mpox requires close physical contact for transmission. This includes contact with an infected person's rash, lesions, scabs, or bodily fluids. While DNA from the mpox virus has been found in semen, it is not yet clear if the virus can be sexually transmitted.
Mpox is a severe and unpleasant disease, with symptoms including fever, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and a distinctive rash that can develop into pus filled blisters. Although the mortality rate for the West African strain (clade II) is low, the Central African strain (clade I) has a much higher fatality rate of around 10%.
The Role of Vaccination
The eradication of smallpox in 1980, following a successful global vaccination campaign, left the world with no natural immunity to pox related viruses like mpox. However, smallpox vaccines are still effective against mpox, with an efficacy rate of up to 80%. Although efforts have been made to replenish vaccine stockpiles, these efforts have primarily occurred in wealthier nations, leaving endemic regions like Africa with limited resources.
The Global Health Implications
In August 2024, the Africa CDC declared a public health emergency due to the rapid spread of new mpox variants. The WHO is also considering whether this situation constitutes a new global health emergency. The spread of mpox highlights the ongoing threat posed by zoonotic diseases and the need for better global coordination and investment in disease monitoring and prevention, especially in regions where these diseases are endemic.
As the world continues to grapple with the threat of zoonotic diseases, mpox serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, preparedness, and global cooperation in addressing emerging health crises.
