The mpox virus was first reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The outbreak has since expanded to Uganda, Kenya and other neighboring countries. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed concern over the spread.
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Nearly 27,000 cases have been reported in the DRC this year alone with over 1,100 fatalities, many among children.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 96% of cases are located in the DRC. The number of cases has increased by 160% this year with a 19% rise in deaths.
The virus is prevalent in the DRC with cases spreading to countries like Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi.
The disease seems to be severe among children under 15, who account for 70% of cases and 85% of deaths.
Mpox is a viral infection causing painful skin boils, fever, headaches and muscle aches. It spreads from animals to humans and between humans through close contact. The infection typically lasts between 2 to 4 weeks.
Previously known as monkeypox, the disease was renamed mpox to avoid stigma. The virus first came to global prominence in 2022 when it spread worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The outbreak started with the spread of the ‘Clade I’ endemic strain. A new variant, ‘Clade Ib,’ now appears to be spreading more rapidly through routine close contact.
The Mpox virus was also known as monkeypox and it was first identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and is known to be endemic in Central and West Africa.
Mpox has had sporadic outbreaks but has not typically spread beyond localized areas until recently.
Mpox is a viral zoonosis, meaning it can be transmitted between animals and humans. The virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, similar to the smallpox virus though it is generally less severe.
The outbreak started in the DRC with 27,000 cases and about 1,100 deaths reported. Other affected countries include Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and South Africa.
Since the beginning of the year, approximately 14,250 cases have been confirmed in South Africa with over 450 deaths.
In DRC, 70% of cases are children under 15 and 85% of deaths are within this age group.
A new variant of the Mpox virus has been identified in mining towns in Congo. This variant is more deadly with a fatality rate of up to 10% and may spread more easily among people.
Skin rashes, fever, headaches, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes are some initial symptoms. The incubation period typically ranges from 5 to 21 days and symptoms may last from 2 to 4 weeks.
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Complications can include pneumonia, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, corneal infections leading to vision loss and inflammation of the brain, heart and rectum.
Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV are at higher risk of severe illness.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called an emergency meeting of international experts to assess the situation and determine if the outbreak represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The meeting aims to advise WHO on necessary global actions, given the virus’s potential to spread internationally.
WHO is working with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to contain the outbreak.
The African Union has released $10.4 million from existing COVID funds to support Africa CDC’s efforts against the Mpox outbreak.
WHO has also allocated $1 million from its emergency fund to assist with immediate needs.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has convened an emergency committee to assess the situation.
The committee will include independent experts from disciplines worldwide. WHO is collaborating with Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to control the outbreak.
The African Union’s Permanent Representatives Committee allocated $10.4 million from COVID funds to support Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
WHO has triggered the process for emergency use listing of Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos and KM Biologics LC16. Increasing vaccine availability is critical to controlling the outbreak.
WHO is considering declaring a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The decision will be based on the recommendations of the emergency committee.
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