Mpox Surge Sparks Global Health Concerns, But Experts Say It's Not the Next Covid

As the world grapples with a variety of infectious diseases, mpox—a once obscure virus—has recently captured attention, especially following a public health emergency declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite its alarming rise in cases, Hans Kluge, director of the European branch of the WHO, reassures the public, stating emphatically, "Mpox is not the new Covid." This statement comes in the context of nearly 19,000 cases and 541 deaths reported across Africa since the beginning of the year. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, underwent a name change in late 2022 to mitigate the stigma and racist implications often associated with the disease's previous nomenclature. The virus was initially identified in 1958 in a colony of monkeys in Denmark, but it has since been clarified that the primary reservoir of the virus resides in rodents, particularly tree squirrels, although monkeys can also contract the disease. The term "pox" in mpox connects it to the smallpox virus, as both belong to the orthopoxvirus family. This relationship has significant implications for public health strategies, particularly regarding vaccination. Vaccines originally developed for smallpox, such as the Bavarian Nordic vaccine, are recommended as effective preventive measures against mpox due to the strong cross-immunity among orthopoxviruses. Currently, four distinct clades of mpox are in circulation. Clade 1, primarily found in the Congo Basin—specifically in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Republic of the Congo—has been endemic since the 1970s. The emergence of subclade 1b in September 2023 within the eastern DRC poses a growing concern for international health organizations, particularly due to its potential spread to neighboring regions. Meanwhile, Clade 2 predominantly exists in West Africa, with cases reported in Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Liberia, South Africa, Mozambique, Egypt, and Sudan. Subclade 2b, having diverged from its parent lineage around 2017, has raised alarm bells as it has spread significantly outside of Africa, particularly in 2022 and 2023. In understanding who is at risk, it is important to note that mpox is not a new threat but rather a persistent one that has seen fluctuation in its prevalence and transmission dynamics over the decades. While the current outbreak has highlighted vulnerabilities, especially within specific communities, it remains crucial to combat stigma and misinformation. Public health officials emphasize the importance of awareness and vaccination as key tools in preventing further spread. As the situation develops, the focus will remain on rigorous monitoring of the virus’s mutations and spread, alongside continued education to minimize fear and promote informed responses to mpox. The world may not be facing another pandemic like Covid-19, but the implications of mpox's resurgence are a reminder of the persistent challenges posed by infectious diseases.