Mpox

A highly virulent mpox Clade 1b case with no travel history has been detected in the UK, raising concerns about the silent community spread. With severe symptoms and a high fatality rate, the UKHSA has launched urgent contact tracing and surveillance. Experts are warning of undetected transmission and urging vigilance and rapid testing.

Nations reach a historic agreement in Geneva to combat future pandemics. The accord addresses shortcomings exposed by Covid-19. It focuses on pathogen data sharing and technology transfer. Article 11 was a point of contention. The World Health Organization will present the final text for approval next month. The US absence and potential tariffs cast a shadow.

As clouds gather and humidity rises across west Africa, whose annual rains bring an uptick of deadly, malaria-carrying mosquitoes, Musa Adamu Ibrahim, a nurse, is sitting at home, unemployed. As downpours progressively cascade across west Africa -- Nigeria's have just started, while Senegal's rains won't arrive until May -- countries that have made in some cases significant progress in stamping out malaria in recent decades will now be doing so without a major financial backer.

Pakistan's Sindh Health Department confirmed the first case of monkeypox in Karachi, involving a 28-year-old man whose wife recently traveled abroad. The patient has been isolated to prevent further spread. This case brings the total number of monkeypox cases in Pakistan to 10 since the health emergency declaration.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the ongoing risk of pandemics, highlighting concerns over vaccine skepticism, declining vaccination rates, and misinformation. Key diseases to watch include H5N1 Bird Flu, Measles, Polio, mpox, an unnamed illness in Congo, and Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Pakistan has confirmed its first mpox case of the year during routine screening at Peshawar Airport. A 35-year-old traveller from Dubai was diagnosed, and authorities are taking stringent measures, including contact tracing. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has reported 10 cases to date. The government remains committed to controlling the virus through robust health systems and monitoring.

A new case of severe Clade Ib mpox has been detected in East Sussex, confirming the individual had recently returned from Uganda. This is the sixth case in England since October 2024. Close contacts are being monitored and offered testing and vaccination. mpox spreads through close contact and presents symptoms like rash, fever, and muscle aches.

A 40-year-old man from Udupi District, Karnataka tested positive for monkeypox after arriving from Dubai. He is now stable in isolation. Health officials confirmed the mild nature of the disease but stressed the importance of contact tracing and isolation to prevent spread. Common symptoms include fever, rashes, and muscle aches; early detection is crucial.

The WHO declared mpox a global health emergency due to an outbreak from a new strain affecting various countries, predominantly in Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported the majority of cases, with the virus also identified in 12 other African nations and beyond. The outbreak includes severe symptoms and significant concern globally.

Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency after reporting its second case of mpox within four days. The WHO labeled the outbreak a global health emergency in 2024. The virus, causing severe symptoms, is spreading rapidly. The new strain is of particular concern, as it transmits easily and appears more severe than previous strains.

mpox virus has affected 115 countries and has been declared a Global Health Emergency by WHO. It can spread through direct contact and contaminated objects. Though the smallpox vaccine offers some protection against mpox, it is not absolute. High-risk groups are advised to take the mpox vaccine as newer specific vaccines are limited.

The African CDC has warned that the mpox outbreak remains uncontrolled, with most deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A highly contagious clade 1b variant has now been detected in the UK. mpox spreads primarily through close contact with infected individuals, and its symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

Africa CDC declared a public health emergency due to the rapid spread of a deadly mpox strain. With 38,465 cases and 1,456 deaths reported, the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo is alarming. mpox has spread to 10 countries, including Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda, raising significant health concerns across the continent.

Canada has confirmed its first case of Clade I mpox, a more transmissible and severe strain, in a person in Manitoba. The case is linked to an outbreak in central and Eastern Africa. The Public Health Agency of Canada says the risk to the general population remains low.

Cases of mpox, triggered by the Clade 1B strain, have been rising in Africa and globally. Thailand, along with other countries, reported infections. Symptoms in children include flu-like signs, rashes, and swollen glands. WHO emphasized close contact as a primary transmission method, stressing early recognition in children for better management.

The World Health Organization has declared mpox a public health emergency amid rising cases in Africa. Indian health officials report a low risk of a large-scale outbreak within the country, with the last case reported in Kerala in March 2024. Pregnant women are advised to take precautions against this viral infection for their safety and that of their babies.

Thiruvananthapuram international airport has initiated passenger screenings for mpox after a confirmed case in Malappuram. A health desk at the arrival terminal will identify those with symptoms for isolation and testing. Similar measures are implemented at Chennai and Bengaluru airports. The Union government has advised states to commence mpox screenings.

The WHO has urgently approved Abbott Laboratories' mpox diagnostic test amid rising global cases. The Alinity m MPXV assay detects the virus from skin lesion swabs, aiding rapid testing in outbreak regions. It marks a crucial step in controlling the spread, especially in underserved areas. Vulnerable groups, including children and those with weakened immune systems, face higher risks.