The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern over an ongoing outbreak of mpox in Central and West Africa. This marks the second time in two years that the disease has spread enough to prompt such a declaration from the WHO. The outbreak, which originated in a small mining town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has now spread to at least 11 other African countries, as well as one case in Sweden.
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus that belongs to the same family as smallpox. It primarily spreads among animals in Central and West Africa, such as rodents and monkeys, but can occasionally jump to humans, causing small outbreaks. The disease has two distinct lineages, with clade I associated with more severe disease and higher risk of death. The current outbreak is being driven by a subtype of clade I, known as clade Ib.
As of August 13th, there have been more than 17,000 suspected cases of mpox across the continent of Africa, with over 15,000 reported cases and 537 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone. The survival rate for mpox varies depending on the lineage, with clade II having a high survival rate, while clade I has killed up to 10% of those infected in past outbreaks.
Treatment for mpox primarily focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications. Some antivirals have been used in the past, but their effectiveness against the current strain of the virus is uncertain. There is an mpox vaccine available, but its efficacy against the new variant is unknown. Countries in Africa are facing challenges in obtaining an adequate supply of vaccines to combat the outbreak.
Overall, the ongoing mpox outbreak in Central and West Africa poses a significant public health risk, with the potential for further spread and impact on vulnerable populations. Vigilance, containment measures, and access to vaccines are crucial in controlling the outbreak and preventing further loss of life.