- WHO declares a state of emergency over Mpox <unk> what does this mean for Germany?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the highest level of alarm due to the spread of the Mpox virus. Several Mpox outbreaks in Africa and a new potentially dangerous variant threaten global public health. It has been declared a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" (PHEIC).
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) described the spread of the virus as "very concerning". The IFRC is ready to help contain the spread of the virus even in remote regions.
What are Mpox?
Mpox was previously known as monkeypox because it was first identified in monkeys. Generally, the WHO does not name diseases after animals or countries where they are discovered to prevent discriminations. The virus is related to the classic smallpox virus (Variola virus). It mainly causes skin rash, but also fever and muscle aches.
Why is the WHO declaring an emergency now?
A new variant is causing concern for the World Health Organization. It was discovered at the end of 2023 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a sublineage of the Mpox clade I (roman one). It is referred to as Ib. According to observations by experts on the ground, it is likely to be more infectious than previous variants and cause a more severe infection, according to Dimie Ogoina, a Nigerian specialist in infectious diseases at the Niger Delta University. He led the WHO emergency committee of independent experts.
The Ib variant is spreading through sexual contacts, according to Ogoina. However, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, small children are also mainly infected, accounting for a large portion of deaths.
How widespread are Mpox?
This year, more than 14,000 suspected cases and more than 500 deaths have been reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries – more than in the entire previous year. Experts fear this might only be the tip of the iceberg because not enough testing is being done and not all infected individuals are seeking medical attention.
What does a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" mean?
A PHEIC does not have concrete consequences. The WHO wants to use it to increase vigilance among authorities worldwide and hopes for more financial support for containment measures in Africa.
What is the Mpox risk in Europe?
Very low, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), there are no known cases of clade I so far. "Mpox is not easily transmitted," said virologist Marion Koopmans of Rotterdam's Erasmus University. "It is spread through direct contact and is therefore – theoretically – relatively easy to stop if it is diagnosed and recognized."
What about vaccinations?
There are two vaccines, but not nearly enough doses, especially not in Africa. Tim Nguyen of the WHO said that 500,000 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine are available for purchase. Another 2.4 million could be produced by the end of the year if there are firm orders. The WHO appealed to donor countries to provide funds. It also asked countries with stockpiles to donate doses.
The second vaccine, LC16, is produced in Japan but not commercially, said Nguyen. However, Japan is always very generous with donations. The EU has already announced that it will make available around 175,000 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine. The manufacturer, Bavarian Nordic, has offered to donate 40,000 doses.
Where Does the Virus Come From?
Mpox viruses were originally prevalent mainly in rodents in West and Central Africa. They were first discovered in the 1970s in the territory of the current Democratic Republic of Congo. Due to a notable change in the pattern and frequency of mutations, it is assumed that the pathogen has been circulating among humans since at least 2016, researchers report in the journal "Science".
The WHO had already declared an emergency once in July 2022 due to Mpox. At that time, cases of the disease, which was previously virtually unknown outside of Africa, were suddenly reported from more than 60 countries, including Germany. The number of cases decreased significantly after risk group education and vaccination programs from August 2022 onwards. In May 2023, the WHO lifted the emergency.
The European Union, along with other global health organizations, is closely monitoring the situation regarding the Mpox virus and the emerging Ib variant. Due to the rising number of cases and deaths in various countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has identified the Mpox risk in Europe as very low.
