Who: "mpox Is Not The New Covid"

21 Aug 2024

Some Namibia fans are worried. Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The reason is the spread of the Mpox virus. At the same time, the WHO urged that the two available vaccines be made available to the severely affected countries (see WHO press release).

However, there is no reason to panic, it was said yesterday. Even the new Mpox variant (1b) is not the new COVID, emphasised a senior WHO representative (see BBC report). The virus is not nearly as contagious and it can be stopped.

According to Namibia's Ministry of Health, not a single case of monkeypox has been detected in Namibia yet. Appropriate precautions have already been taken at the borders to detect infected persons. Transport companies can have their drivers tested free of charge at clinics along the main routes.

Neighbouring countries such as Angola, Botswana and South Africa have intensified screening at their border crossings. Further measures are to follow in consultation with the WHO. Mpox was one of the topics discussed at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit four days ago in the Zimbabwean capital Harare.

Not the first Mpox epidemic

Since the outbreak in September 2023, the most recent epidemic has been concentrated in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 16,700 of the 17,410 confirmed infections have been registered there (see Wikipedia, as of 19 August 2024). Of the 591 deaths, 584 are from the DRC.

The only affected country in the south of the continent so far is South Africa with 24 infected people. Outside of Africa, Sweden, Pakistan, Taiwan and the Philippines have reported their first cases since last week.

The WHO had already declared a global health emergency due to Mpox in 2022. At that time it was variant 2b. The WHO lifted the status again in May 2023. The result: 87,000 infected people and 140 deaths.

Mpox is primarily transmitted through close, prolonged physical contact, especially with an infected person's skin lesions (see WHO fact sheet on Monkeypox). It is not easily transmitted through casual contact or typical tourist activities.

Common signs and symptoms of Mpox are fever, sore throat, headache and fatigue. Many infected persons also complain of muscle aches and back pain. The lymph nodes are swollen. After a few days, a rash forms, which gradually turns into blisters and crusts.

The WHO provides further information on Mpox in a Q&A section.

Sven-Eric Stender