Mpox has become a global public health emergency. Immunologists say more research is needed to determine its level of contagiousness, but cases are appearing in various communities and affecting both adults and children.
The specific strain, known as clade 1b mpox, has been spreading in Africa since it was first identified in the Kamituga region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recently, a case was reported in Sweden in a person who had traveled to an affected African country, marking the first diagnosis outside of the continent.
David Kelvin, a professor at Dalhousie University, is one of the lead researchers studying the Kamituga mpox strain. He expressed concern about the broader impact of this strain compared to the 2022 outbreak. Clade 2b, which was responsible for the 2022 public health emergency, primarily affected a specific social group, while clade 1 is spreading throughout entire communities.
There is evidence suggesting that clade 1b is more transmissible and could lead to more severe cases than clade 2. Some outbreaks have resulted in up to 10% mortality rates. The virus has been spreading rapidly, with cases increasing from about 6 in the city of Bukavu to around 4,000.
The primary mode of mpox transmission is through close contact, including sexual activities and other social interactions. Children are also vulnerable to the virus, especially in crowded areas like schools. In addition to sexual transmission, the virus can also spread through household contacts and potentially from animals to humans.
Experts advise taking precautions such as avoiding crowded areas, practicing good hygiene, and considering vaccination for those at higher risk. While the virus has not been detected in Canada yet, it is essential to remain vigilant and conduct further studies to understand and control the spread of the disease.
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