The World Health Organisation (WHO) on August 14, 2024, declared the MPOX outbreak as a “global health emergency”; the outbreak first started in 2022.

This week, the WHO said cases have been detected in 13 African countries, as well Sweden, Pakistan and the Philippines.

The Africa CDC said cases are up 160 percent in 2024 compared with the same period last year.

In DRC the disease has been detected in all 26 provinces. As of this week, the country recorded more than 16,000 cases of MPOX, resulting in about 570 deaths this year.

What is this MPOX virus?

The monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus, which is a genus of viruses that also includes the variola virus, which causes smallpox.

Monkeypox is a zoonosis, a disease that is transmitted from infected animals to humans.

The WHO decided to change the name of monkeypox to MPOX in November of that year following racist insinuations towards some communities.

According to the WHO, cases occur close to tropical rainforests inhabited by animals that carry the virus. Monkeypox virus infection has been detected in squirrels, Gambian poached rats, dormice, and some species of monkeys.

Human-to-human transmission of the virus is, however, limited. It can be through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth or by virus-contaminated objects, such as bedding and clothing.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, the infection was first discovered in 1958. Two outbreaks of a pox-like disease were recorded in colonies of monkeys kept for research — which led to the name ‘monkeypox’.

What is concerning is that many people arrive for treatment only after the disease manifests on their skin. Mpox causes a distinctive rash that eventually forms pustules.

“What’s real is that many patients don’t discover the disease early on. They become aware of it once their skin manifests an unusual form of gall”.

India Takes Action
The Centre has informed the authorities in airports, ports and borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain alert about incoming international passengers who show monkeypox MPOX symptoms, sources said.

Here Are The Top Ten Points To This Developing Story

• Three state-run hospitals have been selected as the key facilities in Delhi to quarantine, manage and treat MPOX patients. They are Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Hospital.

• The Centre has asked all states to keep hospitals ready to handle MPOX cases. These hospitals should be designated as nodal centres and the information given to the public, sources said.

• PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chaired a meeting on Sunday to review the country’s preparedness for MPOX amid enhanced surveillance for prompt detection.

• Officials said no MPOX case has been reported from the country at present. According to assessment, the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low, they said.

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in view of its prevalence and spread across many parts of Africa.

• “The virus strain this time is different and is more virulent and infectious. But the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low in the country as per the current assessment,” news agency PTI reported quoting an officer.

• The Health Ministry has ordered officials to ensure the network of testing laboratories is ready for early diagnosis of the disease. At present, 32 laboratories in the country are equipped for testing MPOX.

• An earlier statement from WHO said 99,176 cases and 208 deaths have been reported due to MPOX from 116 countries since 2022.

• MPOX cases have been steadily increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last year, the number of reported cases around the world increased significantly. This year, the number of cases reported so far has already exceeded last year’s total, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths.

• Since 2022, at least 30 mpox cases have been reported from India. The last case of mpox was detected in March this year.

The Viewpoint, MPOX, The Next Global Health Concern Post-COVID-19

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, which reshaped global health and daily life, the emergence of mpox as a significant health threat has raised concerns about the next global health crisis.

As the world still continues to struggle with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new health threat has emerged in the form of MPOX, which is now being closely watched as a potential global health emergency.

This situation shows how vulnerable our interconnected world remains to infectious diseases.

The Rise of MPOX

MPOX, formerly known as monkeypox, has recently been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its rapid spread across multiple continents; while it does not yet rival COVID-19 in scale, its emergence spotlights the ongoing risk of infectious diseases crossing borders and affecting global health.

So what are the potential implications if MPOX gains more momentum?

Public Health Strain- Much like COVID-19, MPOX could place a significant burden on public health systems worldwide.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities may again face increased pressure to manage and treat affected individuals, potentially straining resources and affecting the quality of care for other conditions.

Economic Impact–  The economic ramifications of another global health crisis could also be deep especially since the world is already struggling with global slowdown and conflicts. 

Just as COVID-19 led to widespread economic disruptions, including lockdowns, travel restrictions, and market instability, MPOX could similarly impact economies through decreased productivity, increased healthcare costs, and disruptions to global trade.

Travel and Trade Restrictions- In response to MPOX outbreaks, countries may have to implement travel bans or restrictions to curb the spread, reminiscent of the measures seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thus, this step could affect international travel, trade, and global supply chains, further heightening economic challenges.

Healthcare System Preparedness– The experience with COVID-19 has led to improvements in healthcare preparedness and response.

However, MPOX presents a new challenge that will test the adaptability and resilience of health systems and enhanced surveillance, testing capabilities, and emergency response protocols will be crucial in managing this threat.

Global Collaboration- The response to MPOX will require international cooperation and information sharing, similar to the collaborative efforts seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective management of the outbreak will depend on coordinated efforts between governments, health organizations, and the global community.

Long-Term Health Impact– While MPOX is currently less widespread than COVID-19, its potential for causing serious health issues, including complications and fatalities, could have long-term implications for global health.

The Last Bit, The rise of MPOX as a significant health concern accentuates the need for ongoing vigilance and preparedness in the face of emerging infectious diseases.

The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic will be invaluable in addressing this new challenge and minimizing its potential impact on global health and well-being.