What is Mpox and why is it making global headlines?
Mpox (previously known as MonkeyPox) is an infectious, viral disease commonly caused by the MonkeyPox virus. The most common symptoms include rashes, fever, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, sore throat, etc. It can affect both humans as well as animals and spreads through contact with anyone suffering from it. First discovered in a colony of monkeys kept for research in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the year 1958, and originally detected in a human in the 1970s in Basankusu of the DRC, rarely did any place else register a case of this disease for decades, and even if it ever did, it was usually only as a result of migration. In the summer of 2021, US registered its first case of Mpox in a man who had flown there from Nigeria. Post 2022, Mpox has spread beyond borders. It has spread to the American, Australian, European & Asian regions, slowly and steadily standing at the threshold of a worldwide outbreak.
There are two known types (clades) of mpox virus Clade Ib and Clade IIb. The current world outbreak is caused by a serious strain of the former and is spreading rapidly across countries and continents. Since the outbreak in January 2023, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recorded 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths. Director at the World Health Organization (WHO), General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, following an upsurge of Monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) along with a growing number of countries in Africa, called it a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. While declaring the outbreak as official and international, Dr Tedros said, “The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.” A similar health alert was notified in the year 2022 but this recent PHEIC has been called to draw attention at a global level as cases continue to rise in African countries–posing a greater risk for tourists and vulnerable groups–with the virus reaching countries that have no historical evidence of its existence.
Although the current outbreak of Mpox hasn’t been exactly life-threatening, it can lead to complications in severe cases and in more extreme cases, death. Women who are pregnant, children below 1 year of age, and individuals with a weak immune system face a much greater risk of contracting the disease which could possibly lead to severe consequences. Quite often, the symptoms go away on their own with the usual treatment or medications. Mpox can be prevented by avoiding close contact with anyone who is infected, including sexual contact and avoiding animals affected by the same which includes limiting animal meat as far as possible or thoroughly cooking it before consumption. Prevention of Mpox also includes cleaning hands frequently with soap and water of with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. It is essential that individuals that show symptoms of Mpox seek medical aid at the earliest and follow a healthy routine of consuming nutritious food and doing regular exercise along with equal amounts of rest. Self-isolation is also mandatory to avoid risks or spread of the virus.
What is the cure for Mpox?
Given this, the WHO encourages using vaccines MVA-BN (short for Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic), LC16, or the ACAM2000 vaccine for individuals belonging to vulnerable groups, healthcare workers, or individuals residing in communities affected by the virus. Large-scale immunization isn’t necessary as of now, they notified. The mpox virus belongs to a genus of viruses called Orthodox virus, and viruses from this genus share massive genetic similarities. So a vaccine originally prepared for other viruses, for example, the variola virus (from the family of Orthopoxvirus) can also be used to battle mpox infection. Since these vaccines work on the phenomenon of cross-reactivity, different species of a virus appear identical to our immune system; the smallpox vaccine is found effective in treating the mpox virus. As far as the development of newer vaccines is concerned, BNT166– specifically targeting antigens on the monkeypox virus, is now under clinical evaluation. Meanwhile, Serum Institute of India, which has produced vaccines Covishield & AstraZeneca during the previous pandemic, is optimistic to produce one for Mpox in a years. Working has already started on the same. Danish drug maker Bavarian Nordic claims to produce up to 10 million doses of its vaccine targeting mpox by 2025. Every country is coming up with travel restrictions, routine checks, and precautionary measures to impede the spread of the virus. With about 96% of cases being registered in The Democratic Republic of Congo alone on one hand, and an overburdened and inadequate infrastructure on the other, the health minister of the country hopes to receive vaccine aid from Japan and the USA at the earliest. The WHO has aimed to raise US $135 million to stop the spread of the virus along with collaborative efforts from international agencies. UNICEF and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are top US organizations working tirelessly to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Does the mpox endemic carry any economic repercussions?
Global outbreaks are known to slow down the world economy. While the global economy was beginning to recover from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic, this global health emergency is feared to scratch the same wound. Before the previous pandemic, the World Bank expected global GDP to grow by 2.5 percent from roughly $85 trillion in 2019 to close to $87 trillion by 2020. Unfortunately in reality, global GDP fell by 3.1 percent in 2020, reports the Economic Times. With interest rates being as high as ever and the fears of the US economy falling into recession and China failing to reach its economic goals, this global health emergency has rung some alarm bells in the world economy sector. With vaccination being the dominant & first-hand cure for the virus, minor to major restrictions in most sectors, continuous digital monitoring, and rapid disbursement of medical supplies are bound to bring strain on a country’s economy–and the world’s, at large.
Would mpox influence the social and psychological well-being of individuals?
Health anxiety is one of the worst factors in battling a disease. It was particularly observed during the previous COVID-19 pandemic how social isolation has adverse impacts on an individual’s mental well-being. With a lack of interaction, several individuals are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, and schizophrenia-like psychological disorders. It’s also scientifically proven that stress levels can hamper the recovery process. With numerous cases of suicides and self-harm having been reported amongst individuals who suffered from the coronavirus, it’s of utmost importance that necessary precautions are taken to ensure the overall well-being of patients suffering from the mpox virus, as well as the medical staff assisting them round the clock. As the Mpox virus’ precautionary measures also include isolation & quarantine, it’s bound to affect the individual’s psychological state. A pandemic eventually comes to an end but its psychological impact continues for a long time. The governing bodies must take note of the same and draft appropriate policies, educate the population to avoid stigmatization, implement programs and conduct workshops highlighting the recovery process, form support groups (taking the necessary precautions), and engage in initiatives for the overall well-being and betterment of the community.
Written by Bhoomi Kagdada
Edited by Sualiha khan
