The world already knows “a lot” about mpox, or monkeypox, and it cannot therefore be considered “the new Covid.” This is asserted by Hans Kluge, the WHO Director for Europe, this Tuesday.
Thus, “mpox is not the new Covid.” This applies whether it is about the version “that is the source of the current epidemic in Central and Eastern Africa,” or the one “that originated the 2022 epidemic,” insists the WHO leader. “We already know a lot about clade 2 [the variant responsible for the 2022 epidemic]. We still have to learn more about clade 1 [the current variant],” he states, noting that “we know how to fight against mpox.”
The resurgence of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is also affecting Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, prompted the WHO to declare, on August 14, its highest level of health alert.
A health alert in 2022
The WHO had already made such a decision in 2022 when an epidemic of mpox spread worldwide. The alert was lifted in May 2023.
Formerly known as monkeypox, the virus was discovered in 1958 in Denmark, in monkeys raised for research. Then in 1970 for the first time in humans in what is now the DRC (formerly Zaire). Mpox was previously known as “Congo Basin clade” and then “clade 1,” and now “clade 1a” following the recent discovery of “variant 1b” in the DRC.
It transmits “more effectively between humans”
“We have not isolated or detected zoonotic transmission [from animals to humans] of clade 1b,” assures Dr. Catherine Smallwood from the WHO European Office. According to the expert, “it therefore seems to be a strain of the virus that circulates exclusively within the human population, and some of the viral changes identified by virologists show us that it is likely to transmit more effectively between humans.”
Learn more about Mpox
“We know that clade 1 is more dangerous than clade 2,” adds a WHO spokesperson in Geneva, Tarik Jasarevic. However, specialists are now trying to determine if there is a real difference between clade 1a and clade 1b in terms of severity.
“It is only recently that we discovered clade 1b, which spreads rapidly, but we are not yet sure of its severity,” he adds.
Understanding Mpox and Its Implications for Public Health
The recent developments surrounding mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, signify an urgent need for awareness and effective response strategies. According to Hans Kluge, the European director of the World Health Organization (WHO), mpox cannot be equated with COVID-19. Unlike the novel coronavirus, which caught the world off guard, the global health community is already armed with substantial knowledge about mpox and its variants.
Ongoing outbreaks, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries, highlight the virus’s capacity for human-to-human transmission. As reported by WHO officials, the emergence of the clade 1b variant raises concerns about its potential for increased contagion among humans. Experts are now focusing on distinguishing the severity and implications of clade 1a versus clade 1b, which could dictate future public health policies and interventions.
Potential Trends in Virus Management
The impending trajectory of mpox management may involve enhanced surveillance and targeted vaccination efforts. As the clade 1b variant is believed to circulate primarily among humans, public health authorities may prioritize containment measures to mitigate further outbreaks. Additionally, education campaigns may become vital to inform communities about transmission methods and preventive practices to effectively reduce the virus’s spread.
Global Collaboration for Effective Response
International collaboration will likely play a critical role in responding to mpox, paralleling the global approach taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-border communication and resource sharing can help identify patterns of spread and develop robust response frameworks. With WHO leading the charge, countries may unify efforts to monitor and contain mpox outbreaks, leveraging the lessons learned from previous health crises.
The Importance of Ongoing Research
Furthermore, research into the genetics and transmission dynamics of mpox will remain pivotal. Understanding the differences between clade variants can inform vaccine development and therapeutic options. Continued investment in virology research could unveil crucial insights necessary for pre-emptive measures against future outbreaks, potentially averting widespread health emergencies.