The global mpox outbreak has reached unprecedented levels, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting over 117,663 confirmed cases and 263 deaths worldwide from January 2022 to late November 2024. This alarming situation highlights the intensified spread of the disease, particularly across Africa, where the majority of infections are recorded.
According to TASS, the latest data revealed a 13.2% decrease in mpox infections for November compared to October, indicating some stabilization after months of rising cases. Out of the new infections, 2,726 were reported, predominantly from Africa, which accounts for 71.2% of global cases. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, and Uganda remain at the epicenter of this outbreak, raising urgent public health concerns.
The WHO has declared the epidemiological situation within Africa as "especially concerning." By mid-December 2024, data pointed to 13,769 confirmed mpox cases spread across 20 African countries, leading to 60 deaths. With DRC bearing the brunt, reporting 9,513 confirmed cases, the region is facing significant challenges as it manages both current infections and the continual risk of outbreak expansion.
Emerging from this crisis is the clade 1b variant of mpox, first detected late last year in the DRC. This variant is more transmissible and has been reported across several non-African countries, including Sweden, Thailand, and recently Belgium. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control noted Belgium’s detection of its first case of this variant, marking it as the eighth non-African country to confirm infections linked to this strain.
The primary transmission of mpox is now occurring through person-to-person contact, especially during sexual activities. WHO noted, "The spread of clade 1b MPXV to new areas seems to occur mostly through transmission among young adults via close physical contact, often sexual contact." This shift from animal-to-human transmission to human-to-human is particularly alarming as it indicates potential for widespread community outbreaks.
Mpox is characterized by symptoms including fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes, often lasting between two and four weeks. The WHO's observations pinpoint the disease's ability to permeate communities quickly, extending initial outbreaks among adults to children through non-sexual close contact once it enters the community. This is especially concerning, as children are now constituting a larger proportion of cases.
The developmental epidemiological trends suggest not only the necessity for immediate public health responses to prevent transmission but also call for heightened awareness about the nature of mpox and its transmission pathways. "Mpox can spread through close contact of any kind, including through kissing, touching, and oral or penetrative sexual activities with infected individuals," warns WHO. This aspect of the disease transmission adds layers of complexity to tackling outbreaks.
The recent figures show contrasting trends, with the global mpox incidence displaying fluctuations and the introduction of the clade 1b variant raising alarms about its severity and transmissibility. The mortality rate associated with the clade 1b variant has been estimated at approximately 3.6%, which is concerning when viewed alongside the earlier strains of mpox.
Overall, with 1,200 deaths reported already this year due to mpox, the call to action for public health authorities globally is now more urgent than ever. WHO's declaration on the state of mpox, especially within African nations, and the emergence of clade 1b highlight the need for international collaboration and preparedness to tackle infectious disease outbreaks.
Countries and health organizations must now reinstate preventive measures, including vaccination and public education campaigns, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and treating symptoms early to mitigate future outbreaks. Lives are at stake, and the world must collectively respond to what could be one of the most significant public health challenges of this decade.
