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Scientists from the University of Surrey are sounding the alarm about mpox, suggesting that it could escalate into a serious global health issue if not addressed with urgency.
In a recent letter to Nature Medicine, the researchers pointed out that mpox, a viral disease primarily transmitted from animals to humans, is exhibiting clear patterns of prolonged human-to-human transmission.
Mpox is caused by a virus closely related to the smallpox virus. It can lead to symptoms such as a painful rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes, and in more severe cases, serious health complications may arise. The disease typically spreads through direct contact with infected individuals or animals.
Carlos Maluquer de Motes, a Reader in Molecular Virology at the University of Surrey, noted:
“The latest outbreaks indicate that close personal contact has become a major transmission route. This evolution in its spread results in extended transmission chains and ongoing outbreaks.”
The researchers emphasized that this trend corresponds with the rapid propagation of clade IIb mpox viruses. However, they also observed a rise in different clade I variants, which are thought to exhibit more aggressive characteristics. These clade I viruses are seemingly acquiring specific genetic mutations, potentially influenced by human enzymatic activity, which may alter their properties. The longer these variants circulate, the greater the likelihood they will adapt effectively to human hosts.
Historically, mpox sightings were predominantly in Central Africa, but a global outbreak in 2022 extended its reach to multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, while adults are the primary demographic affected, researchers caution that children could also be at risk for severe illness, despite no sustained transmission in this age group being reported to date.
Dr. Maluquer de Motes underscored the need for:
“Mpox to be prioritized on the global health agenda. We currently have limited diagnostic capabilities and a scarcity of antiviral treatments. Enhancing surveillance and building local or regional production capacities for necessary medical resources is urgent; otherwise, we face the prospect of future epidemics.”
Unlike smallpox, mpox persists due to its animal reservoir, making complete eradication impossible. The authors of the letter contend that immediate international action is essential—especially in terms of investing in point-of-care testing and developing new treatments—to prevent mpox from continually resurfacing and posing a threat to public health worldwide.
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