But what is it, where does it come from, and how can the world respond to this threat that inevitably raises the ghosts of past pandemics such as COVID-19 and the early spread of HIV?
Here's what you need to know:
Mpox lesions often appear on the palms of the hands. (File)
What is mpox?
Formerly called monkeypox, this viral disease spreads primarily from person to person through close contact, but rarely can also spread from the environment to people through objects or surfaces that have been touched by a person infected with monkeypox.
According to the WHO, MPOX emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970 but has been ignored there.
“It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself,” said Dimier Ogoyena, chair of the International Health Regulations emergency committee that advises WHO on such issues.
The infection was endemic in Central and West Africa but became a global pandemic in 2022, reaching a WHO public health emergency status in July after outbreaks in multiple countries.
After a series of consultations with experts from around the world, the WHO has started using the new recommended term “mpox” as a synonym for monkeypox. More information on this decision can be found here.
© CDC/Cynthia S. Goldsmith
Mpox is similar to the eradicated smallpox virus. (File)
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of mpox include a rash that lasts for 2-4 weeks and may begin with or be followed by fever, headache, muscle and back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
The rash looks like blisters and may appear on the face, palms, soles, groin, genitals, anus, mouth, throat, or eyes. The number of sores may range from one to several thousand.
A person infected with mpox is considered infectious at least until all the blisters have scabbed over, the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath, and all lesions on the eyes and body have healed. This usually takes 2-4 weeks. It has been reported that it is possible to become reinfected after being infected with mpox.
Patients with severe MPOX may require hospitalization, supportive care, and the use of antiviral medications to reduce the severity of their lesions and speed up their time to recovery.
CDC: NHS England Serious Infectious Diseases Network
WHO continues to work with patients and community advocates to develop and provide tailored information to areas affected by monkeypox.
How does mpox spread?
Person-to-person: Contact with a person infected with MPOX, sexual intercourse, talking or breathing in close proximity can result in the production of infectious respiratory particles, but more research is needed to understand how the virus spreads during outbreaks in different situations and contexts, WHO said.
One thing scientists do know is that the virus can remain for a while on clothing, bedding, towels, objects, electronics, and surfaces that a person infected with MPOX has touched. Other people who touch these objects can become infected if they then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth without washing their hands first.
The virus can also be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy, during or after birth by skin-to-skin contact, or through close contact from an MPOX-infected parent to an infant or child.
Although there have been reports of MPOX infection from asymptomatic individuals, there is still limited information on whether the virus can be transmitted from infected individuals before symptoms appear or after lesions have healed.
Human to animal: Many animal species are known to be susceptible to viruses, so viruses can flow back from humans to animals in a variety of circumstances.
People with confirmed or suspected MPOX infection should avoid close contact with animals, including pets such as cats, dogs, hamsters and gerbils, farm animals and wild animals.
From animals to humans: People who have physical contact with animals that carry the virus, such as monkey species or terrestrial rodents like tree squirrels, can also develop MPOX. Such exposure can occur by biting or scratching, or during activities such as hunting, skinning, trapping, and food preparation. People can also become infected with the virus by eating contaminated meat that is not thoroughly cooked.
Health workers examine a two-year-old child being treated with MPOX, north of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Can it be fatal?
Yes, a very small percentage of people die from MPOX. Between 0.1% and 10% of people infected with MPOX die.
According to the UN health agency, it is important to note that mortality rates in different settings may vary due to several factors, such as access to health care and underlying immunosuppression, including due to undiagnosed or advanced HIV.
In most cases, symptoms of MPOX resolve on their own within a few weeks with supportive care such as painkillers and fever reducers, but some people may develop severe disease or develop complications that ultimately lead to death.
Newborns, children, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying immunodeficiencies, such as those due to advanced HIV, may be at higher risk for more severe MPOX disease and death.
One dose of mpox vaccine.
Is there a vaccine?
Yes, the United Nations health agency has recommended several vaccines against MPOX, however mass vaccination, as rolled out during the COVID-19 global pandemic, is not currently recommended.
Years of research have led to the development of newer, safer vaccines against smallpox, which has now been eradicated. Some of these vaccines are approved for use against smallpox in various countries.
Currently, WHO recommends the use of MVA-BN or LC16 vaccines, or ACAM2000 vaccines, when no other vaccines are available.
According to WHO, vaccination should only be considered for people at risk of contracting MPOX. Travelers who may be at risk based on an individual risk assessment by their healthcare provider may consider getting vaccinated.
One way to prevent the spread of MPOX is to wash your hands after touching contaminated surfaces.
How can I prevent mpox?
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects, and washing your hands after touching potentially contaminated surfaces or objects, can help prevent infection.
The risk of contracting MPOX from animals can be reduced by avoiding unprotected contact with wild animals, especially sick or dead animals, their meat and blood.
In countries where animals carry the virus, foods containing animal parts or meat should be thoroughly cooked before eating.
For more information about mpox, please click here.
