Wednesday, August 14, 2024, World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the rapid spread of a new variant of la mpoxformerly called monkey pox. “The resurgence of MPOX was a public health emergency of international concernlikely to spread to other African countries, or even outside the continent“, declared in a press release Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO. This fear of the virus spreading outside Africa was confirmed with the declaration of the European case in Sweden on Thursday 15, and the Asian case in Pakistan on Friday 16. Should we be worried about this new resurgence in the circulation of the virus? In a video Instagram virologist Océane Sorel, alias @thefrenchvirologist on her social networks, has deciphered the possible epidemic dangers.
The mpox corresponds to an attenuated form of human smallpoxinitially present in animals, such as rodents, and which can also contaminate humans, recalls the Pasteur Institute. This disease manifests itself by symptoms varied, including fatigue, headaches, body aches, rashes on various parts of the body and swollen lymph nodes. Depending on where you are in the world and access to care, The mortality rate of the disease varies between 0.1 and 10% according to the Pasteur Institute.
Mpox: why does the new variant worry health authorities?
Given the latest information on the circulation of a new variant of mpox, with the appearance of the first cases in Europe and Asia, should we be worried? In her video, virologist Océane Sorel looks back at the differences between the known variants of mpox, in order to take stock of the epidemic situation.It exists 2 main types of viruses: Clade 1 and Clade 2”, she recalls. She explains that “the 2022 mpox epidemic which had also affected Europe, was mainly due to a Clade 2 virus, but that in 2023, in Central Africa, another type of virus began to spread: Clade 1“. The latter mutated, giving birth to the Clade 1b variant, judged “worrying” by WHO because it is more contagious and deadly.
Nevertheless, the virologist tries to be reassuring in the face of warnings from international health authorities about the spread of this variant in many African countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda: “Although Clade 1 appears to be more virulent than Clade 2, with a higher risk of death, it is essential to remember that the countries currently affected unfortunately do not have the same access to care that we have in Europe.”. “This does not mean that the number of deaths would be as high in France in the event of an epidemic.”she says. The virologist concludes that “if you do not live in the Central African countries affected by the epidemic, the risk of contracting this virus is very weak”.
Why is COPD being declared a “public health emergency of international concern”?
But if the risk remains low in Europe, why has the WHO warned of a “public health emergency of international concern”? According to the virologist, “The goal here is mainly to to send aid to African countries suffering from this epidemic full force, in order to help them control the virus and prevent it from continuing to spread“. Indeed, in its press release, the WHO announced in particular that it was implementing actions to increase accessibility to vaccines against mpox to the most exposed people. Virologist Océane Sorel reminds us that “You can also consult the vaccination-info-service.fr website to find out if you are concerned by the vaccination campaign preventive or ask your doctor, so we are not facing an unknown viruseven if it is a new variant”.
However, the degree of effectiveness of these vaccines against the new Clade 1b variant of the virus is not known, and the epidemic situation is likely to change in the coming weeks. If to date, Public Health France is reporting thatno cases of Clade 1 MPOX have been reported in Francethe Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity recalls that “Health authorities are closely monitoring the progress of the disease and constantly adapt recommendations for people who are sick or at risk”.
Sources :
- Director-General declares public health emergency of international concern over monkeypox (MPOX) outbreak – World Health Organization – 14 August 2024
- MPOX epidemics: update on the health situation and preparation of the French health system – Public Health France – August 16, 2024
- Mpox (Monkeypox) – Pasteur Institute
- Mpox: update on the virus – Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity
