Mpox virus latest: WHO calls for $135 million fund to stop outbreaks as new strain mutating rapidly
Scientists “don’t understand” the latest outbreak of the Clade Ib Mpox variant
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for $135 million funding to combat the Mpox strain outbreak, which scientists say is mutating “more rapidly” than expected.
On August 14, the organisation declared an Mpox-related global health emergency for the second time in two years.
Speaking to WHO member states, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the latest outbreak “can be controlled and can be stopped”.
$135 million of funding will be needed over the next six months to halt the outbreak, an amount which will “likely increase” over time, Mr Ghebreyesus added.
Scientists have expressed concern at the rate at which the current Mpox strain, Clade Ib, is mutating.
Nigerian scientist Dr. Dimie Ogoina said they “don’t understand the outbreak very well”, leading to difficulty in addressing the disease’s transmission and severity.
Seattle-based doctor Dr. Miguel Paredes said the virus is mutating “more rapidly than we would expect”.
Democratic Republic of Congo has faced the brunt of the outbreak, which has also spread to Burundi, Central African Republic, Rwanda, and Uganda.
The UK is readying itself after Sweden reported Europe’s first case of the deadly variant. Three days ago, Thailand confirmed Asia’s first suspected case of the variant.
EU rules out mpox border controls amid WHO warning
European health authorities have ruled out imposing border controls as the risk of a global mpox outbreak is still considered “low”.
The Health Security Committee (HSC) confirmed that there should not be “a public health emergency in Europe as things stand”.
A spokesperson added: “The HSC members agreed on the importance of a closely coordinated approach and the need to continue monitoring the situation very closely.”
Vaccination recommendations are kept for certain groups at more risk but the commission has ruled out extending the rollout for the general public for now.
It comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared outbreaks in Africa a global emergency.
Airline pilots in countries hit by mpox urged to ‘familiarise’ with virus
Airline pilots operating to countries affected by mpox are being urged to “familiarise themselves with the key facts” on the disease, as compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
A bulletin has been issued by the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (Ifalpa), saying: “The WHO has just determined that the upsurge of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, following the emergence and rapid spread of a new virus strain.
“Several outbreaks of mpox have occurred in different countries, with different modes of transmission and different levels of risk.”
Pilots have been told to read up on transmission, signs and symptoms, treatment, vaccination, self-care and prevention.
Ifalpa says: “The WHO does not recommend any international travel restriction measures at this time.”
What are the Monkeypox symptoms?
Mpox can cause a range of symptoms with some people experiencing less severe signs and others developing more serious illness.
According to the World Health Organisation, common symptoms include a rash which may last for two to four weeks.
Some adults can experience fever, headache, muscle aches, back, pain, low energy and swollen glands.
Patients can develop lymph nodes that look like blisters or sores and can appear in the face, palms of th hands, soles of the feet, groin and genital areas.
Severe mpox cases include larger lesions and bacterial infections of the skin, blood and lungs.
Pictured: Mpox hits refugees in internal displaced camps in Mudja, Congo
World Health Organization: mpox is not 'the new Covid'
A World Health Organization (WHO) official has stressed that mpox is not the new COVID.
The clarification comes as authorities say they know how to control its spread regardless of whether it is the new or old strain.
“We can and must tackle mpox together,” said Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, in a media briefing.
World Health Organization: mpox is not ‘the new Covid’
About 100 new cases of the clade 2 mpox strain are now being reported in the European region every month
Argentina rules out suspected case of mpox on cargo ship
Argentinian health officials said that mpox tests on a crew member on a quaranted cargo ship has come back negative.
The Indian national had reported cyst-like lesions on his chest and face and was working ont the ship traveling to port city of Rosario.
Before the tests, authorities had quarantined the ship in the Parana River as a precaution.
In a statement the health ministry said the patient tested negative for mpox but positive for chicken pox.
What is mpox, and why is this outbreak so concerning?
The number of cases this year has jumped dramatically, already exceeding last year’s figure.
Last week, the Africa CDC reported that mpox has now been detected in at least 13 African countries. Compared with the same period last year, the agency said cases are up 160 per cent and deaths have increased by 19 per cent.
Earlier this year, scientists reported the emergence of a new form of mpox in a Congolese mining town that can kill up to 10 per cent of people and may spread more easily.
Unlike in previous mpox outbreaks, where lesions were mostly seen on the chest, hands and feet, the new form of mpox causes milder symptoms and lesions on the genitals.
That makes it harder to spot, meaning people might also sicken others without knowing they’re infected.
During the global outbreak of mpox in 2022, gay and bisexual men made up a large majority of cases and the virus was mostly spread through close contact, including sex.
Pictured: Pakistan prepares hospitals for outbreak after mpox case detected
What is the difference between mpox Clade I and Clade II?
There are two distinct clades of the mpox virus: Clade I and Clade II. Clade II was responsible for the global outbreak that began in 2022. Clade I is considered more severe and is classified as a high consequence infectious disease.
According to the public health agency of Sweden, the individual contracted the virus during a stay in a part of Africa experiencing a major outbreak of clade I mpox.
Clade I is more likely to cause severe disease and higher mortality than clade IIb — the variant previously found in Sweden. Although the risk to the general population remains very low, the public health agency said the authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
China to monitor borders for mpox over next six months
China has said it will monitor people and goods entering the country for mpox over the next six months, following the declaration by the World Health Organisation that the virus is again a global health emergency.
Individuals from countries with mpox outbreaks who have had contact with cases or show symptoms are required to report to customs. Vehicles and goods from affected areas should be sanitised.
China classifies mpox as a Category B infectious disease, allowing for emergency measures during outbreaks.
The global health agency has released $1.45m from its emergency fund to assist “surveillance, preparedness and response activities” to contain the spread of virus, but would need up to $15m to ramp up the system effectively.
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