WHO declares mpox a global health emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) has named mpox a public health emergency of international concern for the second time, on the heels of a continental emergency declaration from African health officials as the region remains gripped by outbreaks of the virus.
Known for causing painful, pus-filled lesions, and in some cases severe illness or death, mpox first exploded globally in the summer of 2022, which subsequently subsided in many regions. However, the virus has surged dramatically since January 2024, particularly in Africa, prompting health officials to describe the outbreak as “unprecedented.”
And here in Canada, Toronto Public Health is urging eligible residents to get vaccinated against mpox after a sharp rise in cases. On Tuesday, the local health unit said as of July 31 there have been a total of 93 confirmed cases of the virus compared with 21 cases for the same period in 2023.
What is mpox?
Originally identified in monkeys in 1958, mpox, previously known as monkeypox, was primarily confined to central and western Africa, and transmitted through close contact with infected animals.
However, a shift occurred in 2022 when the virus spread rapidly among people worldwide, including Europe, North America and beyond.
Mpox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox and causes similar, but generally milder symptoms.
“Mpox is a disease caused by a virus, and it causes symptoms such as a rash at the site of exposure. So if you’ve been kissing somebody, it may be on the face. If you’ve had sex, it might be in the genital area,” said Dr. Rita Shahin, an associate medical officer with health with Toronto Public Health.
“It’s often accompanied by other symptoms like fever, headache, muscle aches, feeling generally unwell. And most people recover within two to four weeks. But in a small number of cases, it can be more serious, leading to hospitalization.”
While not considered strictly a sexually transmitted infection, it is spread through contact with bodily fluids or scabs and contaminated personal items like clothing, bedding, sex toys or toothbrushes, according to Toronto Public Health.
Mpox is characterized by two distinct genetic variants known as clades I and II, which are endemic to central and west Africa, according to the WHO.
Clade I, known for being more transmissible and causing a higher rate of severe infections, stands in contrast to Clade II. The ongoing global mpox outbreak, which began in 2022 and continues to see cases reported worldwide, is caused by Clade II (including the mpox found in Canada).
What options are there for mpox? In Canada, the vaccine Imvamune is an authorized shot used for immunization against smallpox and mpox in adults 18 years of age and older who are at high risk for exposure.
~WakenyaCanada
