Emerging Threat: The Revitalization of Monkeypox in 2024
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Introduction to the Recent Developments
Dear reader,
Two years ago, monkeypox made headlines globally when it triggered an unprecedented outbreak. This event was significant enough for the World Health Organization (WHO) to label it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). At that time, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was also categorized as a PHEIC.
The resurgence of monkeypox, a disease that had previously been limited to a few countries in West and Central Africa, was linked to a new strain that could be transmitted through sexual contact. This strain predominantly spread among gay and bisexual men, evoking memories of the HIV epidemic and the challenges that accompanied it. It was during this period that I began documenting the monkeypox situation.
My initial article, published that summer, was a straightforward introduction titled, "Monkeypox: The New Public Health Emergency on the Block." It addressed key questions: What is monkeypox? What symptoms does it present? How is it transmitted? What actions were being taken in response to the outbreak?
Shortly afterward, I reported that Bavarian Nordic's smallpox vaccine received emergency approval for use against monkeypox to combat the outbreak. By December, I provided an update indicating that vaccination efforts and public health measures were yielding positive results, leading to a decline in the global outbreak.
In May 2023, the WHO announced that monkeypox was no longer a concern on the international stage. However, I only caught up to this development in January 2024 when I penned my fourth article titled, "The End of the Global Monkeypox Epidemic." Admittedly, the title was somewhat grandiose, yet it conveyed a crucial point: while the epidemic had subsided in the Northern Hemisphere, African nations were once again left to manage monkeypox independently, which could result in future outbreaks.
Recent Articles on Mpox
Now, monkeypox, or mpox as it’s currently known, has resurfaced in the headlines, prompting me to write two new articles this month.
The first article discusses the ongoing mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where reports indicate the sexual transmission of a new strain belonging to clade I, recognized as the most virulent variant. This emerging strain poses a renewed threat of a global epidemic, and despite our growing awareness of its risks, efforts to halt its spread have proven nearly impossible.
Growing health emergency over new, more deadly strain of Mpox - This video discusses the alarming resurgence of a new mpox strain and its implications for global health.
Understanding the New Mpox Strain
As I delved into the new strain, it became apparent that a single article would not suffice to cover the various aspects of this outbreak. My first piece concentrated on public health implications, specifically analyzing the mechanisms behind the spread of the new strain. However, I had also gathered intriguing information regarding the genetic characteristics of the virus, which I felt warranted further exploration.
Unexpectedly, on the afternoon of August 14th, the same day my article was published, the WHO declared mpox an international emergency for the second time in two years. Seizing this moment, I decided to elaborate on the details of the new strain and its mutations.
Sweden reports its first case of new MonkeyPox Strain - This video covers Sweden's first reported case of the new mpox strain and the global response to it.
Future Directions
All of my mpox-related articles can be found on Microbial Instincts, and I encourage you to check them out if you're interested in the topic.
As for my current projects, I recently took a vacation, so I don’t have significant work underway at the moment. Like many writers, I have several drafts that consist merely of titles and a couple of news links.
One article I'm committed to completing in the next month highlights the remarkable news that the Iberian lynx, a symbol of conservation efforts in the Iberian Peninsula, is no longer classified as an endangered species. This topic is particularly close to my heart as the Iberian lynx is a focal point for conservation in Portugal, where I reside.
Additionally, I remain updated on news regarding infectious diseases and anticipate developments related to the mpox situation. There are also a few other topics, including malaria, dengue, and measles, that I plan to follow up on. No guarantees, though!
Wishing you all a fantastic September. Cheers! Gil