"We must raise public awareness to Mpox", says disease expert from Essex
New strain which has "higher mortality rate" has led the World Health Organisation to declare a global health emergency
Last updated 21st Aug 2024
A disease expert from the University of Essex has warned the number of Monkeypox cases “is probably higher than what's been reported”.
It's down to a new, more dangerous, strain of Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox than that of 2022. Mpox clade 1b has a higher mortality rate.
Currently, Mpox clade 1b has killed at least 450 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has spread to neighbouring countries across Africa and one case has been reported in Sweden.
That's according to Dr Stathis Giotis from the University of Essex.
Dr Giotis, a researcher in the School of Life Sciences, previously led a group investigating COVID-19 and says vaccination is the main way to prevent further outbreaks.
He says,
"To tackle Mpox effectively in the UK, we must raise public awareness about the disease and its symptoms.
"We must prioritise targeting vaccination campaigns to high risk groups.
"Access to viral treatments is essential and healthcare providers need ongoing training to manage cases effectively.
"International cooperation is crucial and it's really important to support countries that are currently facing the outbreaks, to reduce the spread.
Mpox is a viral infection like smallpox, but generally less severe. It was first found in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The disease usually starts with flu-like symptoms, such as fever and aches, followed by a rash that can appear on the face, hands, feet, and other parts of the body.
It spreads through close contact, particularly sexual networks.
The disease can be fatal, with four in 100 cases leading to death.
At least 450 people died during an initial outbreak in the DRC and the disease has since spread to areas of Central and East Africa.