Following the news that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC);

Nancy Jaser, PharmD/MBA, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers her view:

“Recent changes to the mode of transmission and disease presentation of monkeypox in the current outbreak are alarming as the disease has transformed into something which experts are experienced in and prepared for, to a situation that is now less predictable and not yet fully understood – potentially due to new viral mutations.

“It is critical that healthcare practitioners are fully aware of the new method of symptom onset for monkeypox, where a rash occurs first without any flu-like symptoms, as opposed to the traditional onset of flu-like symptoms presenting first with a rash occurring afterwards, to properly treat affected individuals and avoid misdiagnosing cases. It is now even more imperative that we increase vaccine supplies globally, especially in areas that are seeing rapidly rising cases, in order to stay ahead of this outbreak to reduce the risk of further global spread and mutation.

“Monkeypox is usually not deadly. However, one of the two major current strains of the virus, called the Congo Basin strain, was found to be fatal by the WHO in one out of 10 patients infected. The other major circulating strain, called the West African strain, is less severe with a death rate of about 1 in 100 infected individuals, and currently accounts for the majority of current cases.

“Historically, monkeypox is a rare zoonotic virus endemic to parts of Africa, with most cases occurring via animal-to-human transmission. Prior to the current outbreak, almost all cases reported outside of Africa were caused by international travel to areas where the disease is common or transmitted through imported animals. Further, prior to the current outbreak, monkeypox was known to be difficult to transmit between humans, with only 25% of cases occurring through human-to-human transmission.

“Currently, most infections are seen within the men who have sex with men (MSM) population and is spread primarily via human-to-human transmission. However, anyone can catch the disease, regardless of their sexual preferences, as the virus can spread through skin-to-skin contact and contaminated bedding or clothing.”

“This new mode of monkeypox transmission, disease presentation, and potential viral mutations, has led to the WHO declaration of the current outbreak as a PHEIC, which is the organization’s highest alert level. The outbreak now carries a high risk of further international spread and death, and must be taken seriously by public health officials around the globe.”

Sources:

www.biospace.com/article/sf-ny-declare-local-health-emergencies-over-monkeypox/

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/07/27/monkeypox-symptoms/

www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/world-map.html

www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/home/topics/emerging-diseases/monkeypox-public-health-emergency-world-health-organization/

www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-statement-on-the-press-conference-following-IHR-emergency-committee-regarding-the-multi–country-outbreak-of-monkeypox–23-july-2022

www.who.int/news/item/23-07-2022-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-(ihr)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-multi-country-outbreak-of-monkeypox

www.biospace.com/article/who-declares-monkeypox-a-public-health-emergency/?keywords=monkeypox