The World Health Organisation has recently declared Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) due to a surge of cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African countries. This announcement was made on August 14, 2024, after a meeting between the WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and an IHR Emergency Committee of independent experts to discuss data collected by WHO and affected countries.
It was determined that Mpox has the potential to spread further across countries in Africa and possibly outside the continent. The disease had previously been given PHEIC status in July 2022 after a multi-country outbreak spread rapidly across various countries, including the UK. The PHEIC was declared over in May 2023 after a decline in global cases.
A new strain of the virus has been identified in over 100 laboratory-confirmed cases in four countries neighboring the DRC, namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Experts believe that the actual number of cases may be much higher. In the DRC alone, reported cases have significantly increased, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths reported so far in 2024.
Dr Tedros emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the emergence of a new clade of Mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and cases in neighboring countries are concerning. A coordinated international response is necessary to contain these outbreaks and save lives.
Mpox was first detected in humans in 1970 in the DRC and is considered endemic to countries in central and west Africa. There are currently two vaccines available to prevent the transmission of the disease.
Symptoms of Mpox include flu-like symptoms such as high temperature, headache, muscle aches, swollen glands, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. Most cases clear up within 2-4 weeks, and there is no specific treatment for Mpox. Vaccines, particularly the smallpox vaccine, have shown effectiveness in preventing Mpox.
Mpox is related to smallpox and is transmitted through close contact with infected individuals. Isolation of cases and their contacts, along with vaccination, are crucial in containing the spread of the disease. Mpox is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, but close contact, including sexual contact, can facilitate transmission.
If you suspect you have Mpox, it is recommended to contact your GP or call 111, especially if you have been in close contact with an infected individual or have recently traveled to west or central Africa. While concerns about a Mpox pandemic and potential lockdowns in 2024 exist, the likelihood of such measures remains low based on current government figures.
In conclusion, staying informed about Mpox, its symptoms, transmission, and prevention measures is essential in addressing the current public health emergency and protecting individuals from the disease.