Monkeypox: Will it Become a Pandemic?
Monkeypox: Will it Become a Pandemic?
Sophie Baldwin, 9/3/24
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On August 11, 2024, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global health emergency. While this announcement may sound similar to early 2020 when COVID-19 was declared an emergency, it is important to distinguish the threat levels between the two viruses.
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox, or Mpox, is a virus characterized by a rash on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals. The rash can initially look like blisters or pimples, but will eventually scab and fall off. Other symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches, and headaches (CDC). The virus can also cause complications such as pneumonia. The incubation period, or time between when the patient was infected to when they develop symptoms, is 3-17 days, which is similar to that of COVID-19. This means that someone can have monkeypox unknowingly and can spread it to others up to four days before they even develop symptoms. Individuals remain infectious until the infected scab falls off and a new layer of skin is formed. Mpox is spread through skin-to-skin contact, physical contact through materials, or infected animals. It is tested with a skin lesion by Polymerase Chain Reaction, or PCR.
Previous Outbreak
Discovered in Denmark in 1958, the WHO has declared this virus a global health emergency twice in the past two years. Mpox exists as Clade I and Clade II. The global outbreak from 2022-2023 was caused by the strain IIB. In May 2022, Mpox spread suddenly and rapidly across Europe and the Americas, reaching 110 countries (WHO). The WHO reported 87,000 cases with 112 deaths. Interestingly, the outbreak mainly affected the LGBTQ community.
Is There a Cure?
Yes. Currently, two emergency vaccines for monkeypox are approved and are recommended to be administered within four days of contact with an infected person. The more common vaccine is JYENNOS, which consists of two doses four weeks apart.
The Current Threat
Monkeypox is spreading through countries in Africa. Though it has been an issue in Africa for decades, this current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the worst yet. There have been 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths since January 2023, largely among children (Medscape). The WHO has provided $15 million for regional surveillance, with more money to come. Global public health administrations are closely monitoring this outbreak and containing the spread as much as possible.
Will Mpox Become a Pandemic?
In short, Mpox is not likely to become a global pandemic as COVID-19 has. Since Monkeypox is mainly spread through direct physical contact, it does not spread as easily as COVID-19. It also has a lower mortality rate, with around 4% for Clade I and Ib. Ultimately, experts do not believe that Mpox will become another pandemic to the level of COVID-19. If you are in an at-risk area, they recommend avoiding places with close physical contact, such as raves, parties, or clubs, and staying away from those who have the virus. But, you can take a breath of relief; it is very unlikely that Mpox will become the next COVID-19.
References
CDC, “Mpox Symptoms”
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/symptoms/index.html
WHO, “Mpox Fact Sheet”
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
UN, “UN Declares Public Health Emergency”
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
CDC, “Mpox Prevention”
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/prevention/index.html
Medscape, “Why Is Mpox an Emergency Again, and How Worried Should I Be?”
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