Alarming warnings: MPOX threatens to trigger the next pandemic!

Alarming warnings: MPOX threatens to trigger the next pandemic!

Berlin, Deutschland - British researchers warn in the specialist magazine Nature Medicine of a possible global health risk, a zoonose virus, that increasingly attracts attention. There is indications of a high risk of epidemic or pandemic, since the transmission of the virus mainly takes place through close physical contact, especially during sex. Current outbreaks of infection focus on special African countries. 43 cases have been reported in Berlin since the beginning of the year, which means more than four times as many infections as in the two years before.

mpox causes a number of symptoms, including rashes, fever and muscle pain. Heavy courses are particularly possible in children and immunocompromised people. Experts also warn that there is an urgent need for better surveillance and regional capacities to combat MPOX, since only limited diagnostic instruments and few antiviral treatments are currently available.

global outbreaks and variants

The MPOX virus, which belongs to the same virus family as the smallpox virus, shows genetic mutations that are triggered by human enzymes and can change its properties. In the current situation, there are outbreaks with four variants of the pathogen: Klade 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b. The Klade IIB in particular played a role in the last global outbreaks. Between 2022 and 2023, countries reported numerous cases, with 19.827 infections confirmed in 29 European and US countries. A serious concern brings the high transmission between people, especially at Klade IIB.

The WHO classified MPOX in February as a "health emergency of international scope". Increasing transmissions of animals to humans have been observed in the past decades and are a challenge for global health. The declines of the smallpox vaccs also increase the risk that MPOX and other virus infections will spread.

vaccines and treatment options

In the fight against MPOX, several vaccines are available, including ACAM2000 and Jynneos, which were originally developed against smallpox. These vaccines also offer protection against MPOX and have received corresponding approval extensions. So far, no case has been reported to an infection with MPOX Klade I in Germany. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) sees (as of August 15, 2024) no increased risk from Klade 1 virus and observes the situation continuously.

Antiviral drugs such as Tecovirimat and Brincidofovir are available for the treatment of MPOX. These drugs are intended to inhibit the increase in virus and reduce a severity of the disease. The state of vaccine development could be crucial to control the current outbreaks and to secure public health.