Mpox won't spread as fast as Covid, but the world needs to gear up

The surge in mpox cases following the outbreak in Africa is unprecedented: 18,000 cases and more than 600 deaths have been reported this year. The World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

- Anuja Susan Varghese

The new virus strain, Clade Ib, is more virulent and infectious than the earlier ones. This mutated strain is causing severe illnesses and an increase in deaths. Outside Africa, cases have been reported in Sweden and Pakistan too. As the world is yet to fully recover from the Covid pandemic, Dr Anup R. Warrier, senior consultant (infectious disease), Aster Medcity, Kochi, explains whether mpox poses a threat. Excerpts from an interview:

What exactly is mpox disease and how did it originate?

The monkeypox virus was discovered in 1958, and the first human case reported in 1970. It is endemic to west Africa, where the consumption of bush-meat, including that from rodents and monkeys, contributed to its rise. However, human-to-human transmission was limited at that time. The virus primarily spread in close quarters, including through sexual contact, and had a mortality rate of only 1 per cent.

So what has changed now?