Mpox: A global alert. A more lethal strain threatens global health
The World Health Organization has convened an emergency committee to assess the seriousness of the situation
A new strain of mpox, more lethal and contagious, is raising alarm in the international health community. Cases of this more aggressive variant of the virus have been confirmed in four African countries, sparking concern among health authorities worldwide.
A global epidemic lurking
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the epicenter of this new epidemic, with over 14,000 cases reported and more than 500 deaths. The virus has spread rapidly to neighbouring countries, such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, raising fears of a potential pandemic.
Health organisations on the alert
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has convened an emergency committee to assess the seriousness of the situation and determine whether the epidemic constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued a health advisory, advising doctors to maintain a high level of suspicion of mpox, especially in patients from affected areas.
A virus in constant evolution
Mpox is a virus that can spread easily from person to person through direct contact, contact with infected body fluids or contaminated materials. There are two genetic clades of the virus: clade II, responsible for the global epidemic of 2022, and clade Ib, more lethal, which is causing the current outbreak in central Africa. Clade Ib, present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is associated with a more severe disease and higher mortality rate than clade II. Although there is no evidence to suggest that it is more transmissible, its increased lethality poses a serious threat to public health.
The global challenges
The spread of mpox poses several challenges at a global level:
- Health systems overburdened: The epidemic could overburden health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, putting millions of people’s health at risk
- Antimicrobial resistance: There is a risk that the virus will develop antibiotic resistance, making infections more difficult to treat
- Economic impact: Epidemics can have a significant impact on the economy, causing economic losses due to reduced economic activities, health costs and decreased tourism
- Global mobility: Globalization and international travel facilitate the rapid spread of infectious diseases, making the mpox epidemic a global threat
A threat to global health
The mpox epidemic poses a serious threat to global health. The emergence of a more lethal strain of the virus underlines the importance of a rapid and coordinated international response. Only through the collaboration and commitment of all can we contain this epidemic and protect future generations.