LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing mpox outbreaks in Congo and other parts of Africa a global emergency, calling for immediate action to control the spread of the virus.
Sweden has reported its first case of a new mpox strain previously only observed in Africa, found in a traveler. Meanwhile, other European health authorities have cautioned that more imported cases are expected.
Here’s an overview of mpox and the potential for its further spread:
Is Mpox Likely to Trigger Another Pandemic?
It’s doubtful. Pandemics, such as the recent swine flu and COVID-19 outbreaks, are usually driven by airborne viruses that spread quickly, often by individuals who aren’t showing symptoms.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, primarily spreads through close skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals or contaminated items like clothing or bedding. It typically causes visible skin lesions, which may discourage close contact with others.
To reduce the risk of infection, experts recommend avoiding close physical contact with anyone showing mpox-like lesions, not sharing utensils, clothing, or bedding, and practicing good hygiene, such as regular hand-washing.
On Friday, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control stated that more imported cases of mpox from Africa are “highly likely,” but the chances of widespread outbreaks in Europe are very low.
Scientists believe the risk to the general population in countries without ongoing mpox outbreaks remains low.
How Does Mpox Differ From COVID-19?
Mpox spreads much more slowly than COVID-19. When the coronavirus was first identified in China, cases quickly multiplied from a few hundred to several thousand, with a dramatic increase within a single week in January 2020.
By March 2020, when the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, there were over 126,000 infections and 4,600 deaths—just three months after the virus was first identified.
In contrast, since 2022, mpox cases have reached nearly 100,000 globally, with around 200 deaths, according to the WHO.
Unlike the early days of COVID-19, there are already vaccines and treatments available for mpox.
“We have what we need to stop mpox,” said Dr. Chris Beyrer, director of Duke University’s Global Health Institute. “This is not the same situation we faced during COVID when there was no vaccine and no antivirals.”
Mpox Cases in Africa Prompt Health Warnings
Over a dozen African countries have reported confirmed cases of mpox this year, prompting global health officials to declare a worldwide health emergency on August 14. The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing the largest outbreak by far.
How Quickly Can These Mpox Outbreaks Be Controlled?
It’s uncertain. The 2022 mpox outbreak in more than 70 countries was slowed within months, largely due to vaccination programs and the availability of treatments for at-risk populations in wealthier nations.
Currently, most mpox cases are in Africa, with 96% of those cases and deaths occurring in Congo, one of the world’s poorest countries. Congo’s health system is severely strained by malnutrition, cholera, and measles. Despite requesting 4 million vaccines from international donors, Congo has yet to receive any.
Although the WHO declared mpox a global emergency in 2022, Africa has received very few vaccines or treatments.
Dr. Beyrer of Duke University emphasized the importance of investing in efforts to contain the outbreaks in Africa.
“We are actually in a good place to get control of this pandemic, but we have to make the decision to prioritize Africa,” he said.
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