Many of us first learned about monkeypox (formerly known as apepox) in 2022, when the largest known outbreak affected an estimated 100,000 people in more than 100 countries. While monkeypox is commonly seen in central and western Africa, the 2022 outbreak rapidly expanded from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to previously unknown locations. Before the epidemic could be contained, only the United States reported more than 32,000 infections and 58 deaths.

A new outbreak of mpox has put it back in the spotlight. What should you know and do in the face of the latest global health emergency? What are its risks? Are there vaccines available? How can you prevent the spread of mpox?

What's special about the 2024 MPOX outbreak?
This time, the virus has a New variant This is a disease known as clade 1b that is spreading rapidly, which is why the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a second global health emergency in August 2024.

More than 15,600 cases and 500 deaths So far, cases of mpox have been reported, mostly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In addition, mpox has been discovered in countries where cases have not been previously reported, such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Sweden and Thailand have led public health officials to prepare for further international spread, potentially to Asia, Europe and the United States.

Mpox: 6 things you should know

What is mpox and how is it transmitted?
Mpox is a viral infection caused by viruses from the same family as smallpox. Some animals in central and western Africa, such as squirrels and rats, are susceptible to it. People can become infected by interacting with sick animals. Mpox can be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact, including sexual intercourse.

What are the symptoms of mpox?
Causes of Mpox Flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes.and a characteristic rash. The rash usually appears a few days after infection as small, flat areas. Over the course of a week or two, the spots change into small, fluid-filled bumps (vesicles) similar to chickenpox, followed by larger, pus-filled blisters. The blisters will crust over and heal over the next week or two. After that time, the person is no longer contagious.

Although the condition is usually mild, some patients can experience serious problems, including pneumonia, vision loss due to an eye infection, and sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection.

What are your chances of getting mpox?

Location and activities influence the risk of developing MPOX.

The risk increases if

possessing bedding, clothing, or other items or surfaces touched by an infected person; living in or traveling to an area where mpox virus is endemic, meaning it is present in the environment, such as in the soil; being a man who frequently has sex with men and has multiple sexual partners.

When patients develop MPOX, risk factors for experiencing more serious illness or consequences, including pneumonia, include:

Pregnancy, early age (particularly for children under 1 year old), a compromised immune system and eczema can weaken the skin barrier.

Why is the mpox outbreak so worrying?

The current mpox outbreak is particularly worrying because the virus strain is more lethal than in 2022. The virus is spreading faster and is reaching areas where mpox had not been detected before.

In addition, the current outbreak has It disproportionately affected children and adolescentsmany of whom are already malnourished or have other infections such as cholera.

Are there vaccines or treatments for mpox?

There is Two vaccines available To prevent MPOX in the United States:

• Jynneos is licensed for the prevention of smallpox and poliopox. It requires two injections, four weeks apart.
• ACAM2000 is a licensed vaccine for smallpox prevention and is believed to be effective against mpox. It could be available if needed, but its likely negative effects make it a secondary option.

Access to vaccines has been limited in resource-poor countries such as Africa, Asia and elsewhere. Even in resource-rich countries such as Europe and the United States, vaccine hesitancy has hampered efforts to control the outbreak. A studyIn Illinois, only half of the vulnerable group received the first dose of the mpox vaccine and only a quarter received the required two doses.

Tecovirimat, an antiviral drug, is approved to treat smallpox. Animal research indicates that it may also be useful in treating mpox. The drug is currently being studied as a treatment for mpox and May be available when joining a study.A 2024 study indicated that tecovirimat did not shorten the duration of symptoms in adults and children with clade 1 mpox. However, the mortality rate (1.7%) was half of what was expected. However, it remains unclear whether the low mortality rate was related to drug treatment.

How can a person with MPOX avoid infecting others?

If you have been diagnosed with mpox, you should Take the following precautions to avoid infecting others:

Avoid close contact with people until skin lesions heal.
Wear a well-fitting medical mask when around other people; visitors must wear one, too.
Stay several feet or more away from others.
Use separate bedrooms and bathrooms.
Clean all surfaces you have touched.
Avoid sharing dining utensils, towels or mattresses with other people.
To improve ventilation, open windows or use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

Some specialists advise against contact with pets or other animals because they can become infected and transfer the disease to new animal species in new places.

Conclusion

Will mpox be the next pandemic? unlikelyThe mpox virus spreads primarily through direct contact, unlike the COVID-19 virus, which spreads through small respiratory droplets that can be easily inhaled. In addition, contagious mpox patients often have obvious symptoms, allowing them to take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease.

Currently, the risk of contracting mpox for most people in the United States appears to be low. To ensure that it remains that way and to help countries where mpox is prevalent, U.S. public health officials are collaborating with their counterparts in other countries to control the outbreak. To succeed, we will need a strong, well-coordinated global effort, including financial assistance to resource-poor countries to fund education, immunization, testing, and treatment initiatives.