Everything You Need to Know About Mpox: What It Is and How It Spreads

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared the mpox outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern. Mpox, a highly contagious disease formerly known as monkeypox, has caused significant alarm, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), where it has claimed at least 450 lives in an initial outbreak.

What Is Mpox?

Mpox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox. While similar, mpox is generally less severe than smallpox. Initially transmitted from animals to humans, mpox is now spreading rapidly among humans, raising global concerns.

How Common Is Mpox, and Where Does It Occur?

Mpox is most prevalent in remote villages within the tropical rainforests of Africa, particularly in countries like DR Congo. The disease has been a persistent threat in these regions, with thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths reported annually. Children under 15 are particularly vulnerable.

The virus exists in two main forms: Clade 1 and Clade 2. The 2022 mpox public health emergency was driven by the milder Clade 2, which spread to nearly 100 countries, including several in Europe and Asia. This outbreak was eventually brought under control through targeted vaccinations.

However, the current outbreak is due to the more deadly Clade 1 variant, which has historically killed up to 10% of those infected. A recent mutation has led to an offshoot called Clade 1b, described by scientists as “the most dangerous yet.” This new variant has been spreading rapidly since its emergence in September last year.

How Is Mpox Spread?

Mpox is primarily transmitted from person to person through close contact, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and close proximity during conversations or breathing. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Infected individuals can also spread the virus by touching objects such as bedding, clothing, and towels, which have been contaminated. Additionally, close contact with infected animals like monkeys, rats, and squirrels can lead to transmission.

During the global outbreak in 2022, mpox spread predominantly through sexual contact, a trend that continues in the current outbreak. However, the virus has also been detected in other communities beyond those primarily associated with sexual transmission.

What Are the Symptoms of Mpox?

Mpox typically begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, and muscle aches. After the fever subsides, a rash often appears, starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body, including the hands and feet.

The rash can be extremely itchy or painful and goes through several stages before forming a scab, which eventually falls off. These lesions can leave scars.The infection usually resolves on its own within 14 to 21 days. However, severe cases can result in widespread lesions, particularly affecting the mouth, eyes, and genitals.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While mpox can affect anyone, it is most commonly found in people who are sexually active, especially men who have sex with men. Individuals with multiple sexual partners or new sexual partners are at greater risk. Health workers and family members of infected individuals are also at risk due to close contact.

The WHO advises avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of mpox and maintaining good hygiene practices. Those infected should isolate until all lesions have healed. The WHO also recommends using condoms for 12 weeks after recovery as a precaution.

How Can Mpox Be Treated?

The best way to control mpox outbreaks is through prevention, primarily via vaccination. Vaccines are available, but they are typically reserved for those at high risk or who have been in close contact with an infected person.

In response to the current outbreak, the WHO has urged pharmaceutical companies to submit their mpox vaccines for emergency use, even if they are not yet formally approved in the countries where they are needed.

With the Africa CDC’s declaration of a continent-wide public health emergency, there is hope that governments will coordinate their responses more effectively, potentially increasing the availability of medical supplies and aid to affected regions.