Monkey Pox: A Growing Threat Causing Global Alarm 

The Mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, has experienced a large resurgence in Africa in 2024, mainly in Central and Eastern Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains the epicentre, with more than 14,000 cases and over 500 deaths reported since the beginning of this year.

While not new to scientists, this zoonotic disease is getting more attention because of its expanding impact, particularly in Africa, where it is endemic. But what precisely is monkeypox, where did it originate, and why is it spreading faster than ever before?

Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 in laboratory monkeys rather than in wild monkeys, giving the disease its rather misleading moniker. However, the virus is significantly more common in particular rodent species found in Central and West Africa’s deep woodlands. These animals, which include squirrels, rats, and dormice, are thought to be natural reservoirs for the virus, silently harbouring it and occasionally transferring it to humans.

Monkeypox’s actual origin is unknown, although the virus is well-established in African animals. Human infections are most common when individuals come into close contact with infected animals’ blood, body fluids, or lesions, which happen frequently while hunting, butchering, or handling bushmeat.

Monkey pox can be transmitted when a person is bitten or scratched by an infected animal, handles bushmeat, or comes into contact with animal secretions or sores. Once infected, the virus can be transmitted to others by respiratory droplets during close contact, direct contact with bodily fluids, or contact with contaminated objects such as bedding.

The virus is spreading more frequently, and outbreaks are occurring in urban centres where the disease was previously rare. This strain, known as clade 1b, is fast spreading, particularly in countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, which are reporting the first cases.

The situation has reached a severe point, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a public health emergency in the region. Despite worldwide efforts to contain the virus, African nations face restricted access to medicines and treatments. Negotiations are underway to get vaccination doses, but the existing supply is insufficient to successfully combat the outbreak.

In response to this increase, international organisations, including the World Health Organisation and the United States government, are striving to improve surveillance, vaccination efforts, and public health messages to slow the spread.

The global danger level has been classified as moderate, but the situation in Africa is especially critical due to rapid transmission and the introduction of new virus strains.

Currently, the focus is on containing the spread within Africa. However, the global health community is on high alert as the situation evolves (United Nations News, World Health Organisation (WHO), The Independent).