The World Health Organization (WHO) has escalated its response to the mpox outbreak, declaring it a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ due to the rapid spread of the new, more deadly Clade 1b variant. This variant, first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in September 2023, has caused over 17,000 cases and 500 deaths in Africa this year, with cases now reported outside the continent.In an unprecedented move, the WHO has relaxed its rules to allow partners such as Gavi and UNICEF to purchase mpox vaccines before they receive full approval. This decision aims to expedite the delivery of vaccines to Africa, where the outbreak is most severe. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated international response.The new Clade 1b variant is particularly concerning due to its higher mortality rate, estimated at around 3.6%, with children being most at risk. Helen Rees, Chair of the WHO’s African Advisory Group on Immunization, warned that the lack of vaccines is ‘not only a disaster for individuals who will now be exposed to the disease, but also poses a problem in terms of containing the outbreak’.Countries worldwide are implementing preventive measures and surveillance systems. The Netherlands has reported having 100,000 vaccines in reserve, while Kenya has confirmed its second case in a truck driver who traveled to the DRC. Gabon has also reported its first case in a traveler from Uganda.Despite the urgency, health officials stress that mpox is not comparable to COVID-19 in terms of transmission. However, they urge vigilance and emphasize the importance of early detection and response to potential cases. The WHO recommends three vaccines against mpox: MVA-BN, LC16, and OrthopoxVac, but does not recommend general vaccination of the population.
Key points
- WHO declares mpox outbreak a global health emergency due to the spread of the more deadly Clade 1b variant.
- WHO relaxes rules to allow purchase of mpox vaccines before full approval to expedite distribution to Africa.
- New Clade 1b variant has a higher mortality rate of around 3.
- Countries worldwide are implementing preventive measures and surveillance systems.
6%, with children at highest risk.
Contradictions👾While some sources state that the new variant has a mortality rate of around 3.
6%, others report it as high as 10%.
This discrepancy may be due to different data sets or timeframes being considered.
