In a concerning development for global health, mpox has reemerged as a significant public health threat, with cases surging worldwide and a new strain spreading rapidly across Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time in two years, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
A 500% Increase in African Cases
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reports a staggering 500% increase in mpox cases on the African continent compared to the previous year. Central Africa has been hit hardest, accounting for 85.7% of cases and 99.5% of deaths on the continent. The situation is particularly dire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where reported cases have already surpassed last year’s total, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths recorded.
Ngashi Ngongo from Africa CDC emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The situation is not yet under control, we are still on the upward trend generally.” The rapid spread of the virus has raised concerns about its potential to become a more severe pandemic than COVID-19.
Photo by Victor Nnakwe on Unsplash
The Emergence of a New Strain
A new strain of mpox, known as clade 1b, has emerged and is spreading rapidly in eastern DRC. This strain appears to be primarily transmitted through sexual networks, adding a new dimension to the outbreak. The virus has already been detected in neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, which had not previously reported mpox cases.
The spread of clade 1b beyond the DRC’s borders is particularly alarming, as it suggests the potential for wider regional and global transmission. Experts believe that the true number of cases may be higher than reported, as many clinically compatible cases have not been tested.
Global Response and Challenges
In response to the escalating crisis, the WHO has triggered the process for Emergency Use Listing for mpox vaccines. This move aims to accelerate vaccine access for lower-income countries that have not yet issued their own national regulatory approvals. The organization is also working with countries and vaccine manufacturers on potential vaccine donations and coordinating with partners to facilitate equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other tools.
However, the global response faces significant challenges. TB research, which could potentially contribute to understanding and combating mpox, remains severely underfunded, with only one-fifth of the US$5 billion annual target reached in 2022. This lack of funding impedes the development of new diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines for both TB and potentially mpox.
The Need for Urgent Action
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”
The WHO anticipates an immediate funding requirement of an initial US$ 15 million to support surveillance, preparedness, and response activities. A needs assessment is being undertaken across the three levels of the Organization to determine the full extent of resources required to combat this resurgence.
Source : https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tedros_Adhanom_Ghebreyesus
Lessons from Past Outbreaks
The current mpox resurgence serves as a stark reminder of the importance of global health vigilance and preparedness. Professor Dimie Ogoina, Chair of the WHO Emergency Committee, drew parallels with the 2022 global outbreak, stating, “Mpox, originating in Africa, was neglected there, and later caused a global outbreak in 2022. It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself.”
As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, the mpox resurgence underscores the need for robust global health systems and coordinated international responses to emerging threats.
Sources:
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/11/health-news-vaccine-funding-mpox-november-2024/
https://www.who.int/news/item/14-08-2024-who-director-general-declares-mpox-outbreak-a-public-health-emergency-of-international-concern
Cover photo by Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo on Unsplash