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WHO Declares Mpox a Global Health Emergency Amidst Rising Cases of More Virulent Strain

• The WHO has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to a surge in cases, particularly of the more virulent clade IB strain. • The declaration aims to accelerate access to testing, vaccines, and therapeutic drugs in affected regions, with the WHO releasing $1.5 million for containment efforts. • Currently, mpox treatment relies on supportive care and antivirals like cidofovir or tecovirimat, while a specific vaccine is urgently needed, with China leading vaccine development. • Despite an increase in mpox trials in 2022, global research efforts need to be intensified to address the deadly disease effectively.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in response to the rapid increase in cases, drawing parallels to the early days of HIV due to its severity and unknowns. This declaration is intended to expedite the availability of testing, vaccines, and therapeutic drugs in affected areas.

Mpox Outbreak and Viral Strains

The WHO has allocated $1.5 million from its contingency fund to support containment efforts, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries affected by the emergence of a new viral strain, clade IB. This strain is an offshoot of clade I, which originated in the DRC in January 2023 and has since spread to 12 other countries in the region. The current situation is considered more concerning than the 2022 outbreak, which involved the less transmissible and severe clade II. Historically, clade I has exhibited higher mortality rates than clade II, prompting the WHO's urgent response.

Current Treatment Landscape and the Need for Vaccines

Currently, there is no specific treatment approved for mpox virus (MPXV) infections. Treatment typically involves supportive care for symptoms like pain and fever. In severe cases, antiviral drugs such as cidofovir or tecovirimat, which are approved for other viral infections like smallpox, are used off-label. However, their efficacy and durability against mpox are still under evaluation. The development of an mpox vaccine is considered crucial for controlling the disease. China is at the forefront of vaccine innovation, with the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products' mpox vaccine candidate, based on a live, attenuated MVA strain, recently approved to enter clinical trials.

Research and Development Efforts

According to GlobalData’s trials intelligence platform, smallpox trials currently outnumber mpox trials by 42%. While there was a surge in mpox trials in 2022 due to the previous outbreak, the numbers declined in 2023. However, there is an anticipated increase in trials for 2024, potentially exceeding the 2023 figures, as pharmaceutical companies respond to the latest outbreak. Despite an 88% increase in research efforts since 2004, further global research is needed to achieve a more stable position in combating this deadly disease.
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Reference News

[1]
Mpox declared international public health emergency as cases continue to rise
clinicaltrialsarena.com · Oct 1, 2024

WHO declares mpox a PHEIC, releasing $1.5m to support affected regions, focusing on clade IB's deadlier nature. No speci...

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