The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its highest level of alert worldwide for the mpox outbreak, declaring it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time in two years. This decision comes in response to the emergence of a new, more dangerous variant of the virus and its detection outside of Africa for the first time.Sweden reported the first case of the clade I variant in Stockholm, identified in a person who had recently traveled to an affected area in Africa, specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This variant is considered more contagious and deadly than previous strains, with a mortality rate of 3.6%, significantly higher than the 0.2% recorded in the 2022 outbreak.The outbreak has severely impacted several African countries, with over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported this year, primarily in the DRC. The WHO has warned that the potential for transmission in Africa and beyond is ‘very alarming’.In response to this global health threat, various countries are taking preventive measures. China has tightened its entry regulations, requiring individuals from countries with reported mpox cases to self-report to customs authorities. Meanwhile, Russia has announced the development of a vaccine against mpox, though clinical trials are pending due to funding constraints.Health experts emphasize that while the situation is serious, there is no need for panic. Dr. Jugal Kishore, Head of Community Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital in India, explained that mpox is primarily transmitted through close contact and does not spread through the air like COVID-19. However, he stressed the importance of maintaining vigilance and hygiene practices.The WHO has initiated the process of listing mpox vaccines for emergency use to accelerate access in low-income countries. As the global health community mobilizes to address this evolving threat, continued monitoring and international cooperation will be crucial in managing the spread of this new, more dangerous variant of mpox.
Key points
- WHO declares mpox outbreak a global health emergency due to new, more dangerous variant.
- Sweden reports first case of clade I mpox variant outside Africa, with 3.
- Over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported in Africa this year, primarily in the DRC.
- Countries implementing preventive measures, including tightened entry regulations and vaccine development.
6% mortality rate.
Contradictions👾While most sources report a significant increase in mpox cases and deaths, the exact numbers vary slightly between reports, possibly due to different reporting periods or data sources.
