Mpox has become a pressing global health issue as it is spreading across Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has declared the surge in cases of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African nations a public health emergency of international concern. However, WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge emphasised that Mpox, whether the new or old strain, is not akin to the COVID-19 pandemic. He urged global efforts can manage and control the spread of Mpox effectively.
What Is Mpox?
Mpox, an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), leads to a range of symptoms including a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle and back pain, according to WHO. While most people recover fully, some cases can be severe. This virus is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus, mainly of two types: clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb).
The clade IIb outbreak started globally in 2022 and continues. As of August 2024, clade Ib has also been detected beyond Africa. The natural host of Mpox is still unknown but it is known to affect small mammals like squirrels and monkeys are susceptible, according to WHO.
How Is Mpox Transmitted?
Mpox is primarily transmitted through close contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin and mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact. Those with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk of acquiring Mpox. The virus can also be transmitted via contaminated objects such as clothing or linen, through needle injuries in health care, or in community settings such as tattoo parlours.
Pregnant women can pass Mpox to their babies, which may result in severe complications for both the fetus and the parent. Mpox can also be transmitted from animals to humans through bites, scratches or handling infected animals.
Treatment
Mpox, particularly the more transmissible clade Ib, has a higher risk of transmission. Vaccination is a key preventive measure, especially for those at high risk during outbreaks. Two vaccines, Jynneos and Acam2000, are available to reduce the risk and severity of infection. Tecovirimat, an antiviral initially stockpiled for smallpox, is used for treating Mpox, though there is no proven antiviral specifically for Mpox yet, as per WHO.
Mpox Vs Chickenpox And Smallpox: Know The Difference
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rohit Batra, Dermatologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, explained that Mpox and chickenpox might appear similar, leading to confusion among patients about whether they have Mpox, chickenpox, smallpox or some other sort of rash.
She noted that Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), differs from chickenpox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a member of the herpesvirus group.
Mpox symptoms start with fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes before rashes appear, while chickenpox rashes appear 1 to 2 days post fever. The monkeypox lesions are bigger than the chickenpox ones.
On the other hand, both Mpox and smallpox also have similar symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and fatigue as well as a characteristic rash with fluid-filled lesions. According to the American Society For Microbiology, Mpox has a lower fatality rate (1-10 per cent) compared to smallpox which is fatal in 30-50 per cent of cases. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980 due to its sole human reservoir.
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