According to Expedito Luna, the population should not panic, but it is essential to be alert for a possible spread of the disease and to follow the guidance of health authorities.
Brazil is taking precautions, and vaccination against smallpox provides cross-protection against Mpox – Photo: U.S. GOV/Rawpixel/CC0
The World Health Organization (WHO) announces that the Mpox virus (monkeypox), previously known as monkeypox, is once again a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), which is different from a pandemic. The alert was triggered after the rapid spread of variant 1B, which is more contagious, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the confirmation of cases in Europe.
Health Minister Nísia Trindade stated last week that Brazil is at level 1 of the Mpox emergency, but emphasized that this is just a warning sign, meaning there is no need for the population to panic about the situation. Professor Expedito Luna from the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine (FM) at USP explains the peculiarities of this virus and what precautions need to be taken.
According to the specialist, the concept of public health emergency of international importance differs from a pandemic and is a tool used by WHO to alert about health crises that require global attention. A pandemic, in turn, is a term used by science and epidemiologists to characterize the spread of an epidemic on at least two continents.
Clades
Expedito Luna – Photo: Reproduction/ResearchGate
According to the professor, the different versions of Mpox are classified as clades, a technical term that indicates a bifurcation in the genetic evolution of the virus. He explains that clade 1, which originated in West Africa, caused an outbreak in Europe in 2022 but did not lead to a significant global pandemic. On the other hand, clade 2, originating from Central Africa, is more severe and transmissible.
The professor states that clade 2 has been spreading rapidly through Central Africa, affecting the Congo and neighboring countries such as the Central African Republic, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. Recently, cases have been detected outside Africa, in Sweden and Pakistan, which raises an alert about the possibility of the virus reaching Brazil due to the intense international flow with African nations.
Mpox
According to Luna, Mpox is part of the poxvirus group, related to human smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980. He mentions that Mpox was identified in monkeys, but its main reservoir is African rodents, and since its outbreak in Europe in 2022, the disease has been closely monitored. “It is not a sexually transmitted disease because it is transmitted through direct contact with affected skin and not through sexual fluids. It also causes lesions that evolve from red spots to pus-filled blisters and requires isolation for three to four weeks to prevent spread,” he emphasizes.
According to the specialist, Brazil is currently taking precautions and vaccination against smallpox provides cross-protection against Mpox, so the country is prioritizing the immunization of healthcare professionals who deal with suspected cases. He notes that although the vaccine is limited, the number of infection cases from the virus has significantly decreased since its peak in 2022.
“At the moment, there is no indication that clade 2 has reached Brazil, but health authorities remain vigilant, and the population should follow the guidance of authorities to seek medical attention if they present symptoms consistent with Mpox, such as skin lesions that evolve into blisters and scabs. The recommendation is for the population to remain calm and continue to follow the guidance of health authorities. If symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek health services for diagnosis and appropriate guidance,” the specialist concludes.
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