As Pride events approach globally, U.S. officials are preparing for the resurgence of mpox, a disease that affected many gay and bisexual men in 2022. Despite efforts to contain the previous outbreak through behavioral changes and vaccinations, a large portion of the at-risk population remains unvaccinated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning about a more lethal strain of mpox currently spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While this strain has not been detected outside of Africa, the escalating situation in Congo poses a significant global threat.
Dr. Anne Rimoin, an epidemiologist, emphasized the importance of global disease surveillance in preventing the spread of infections like mpox. She has been studying the disease in Congo for over two decades and first raised concerns about its potential for worldwide transmission in 2010.
To combat the potential resurgence of mpox, the CDC is urging high-risk individuals in the U.S. to get vaccinated. Their outreach efforts include collaborating with advocacy groups and social media influencers within the L.G.B.T.Q. community.
There are two main clades of mpox, with Clade I being predominant in Congo and Clade II responsible for the 2022 global outbreak. Both clades have been circulating in Africa for years, causing sporadic outbreaks.
Symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, back pain, rash, and painful sores. Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with H.I.V., are at higher risk of severe illness and death.
The Clade IIb strain of mpox led to over 30,000 cases in the U.S. in 2022, with a significant decrease in cases in 2023. However, there are signs of a resurgence this year, with nearly double the number of cases compared to last year.
In Congo, the Clade I virus has caused around 20,000 cases and close to 1,000 deaths since January 2023. The mortality rate for Clade I is much higher than Clade IIb, particularly affecting children under 15.
Experts believe that even if the deadlier strain were to emerge in the U.S., American children would be less susceptible to mpox compared to those in Congo.
Despite the differences in vulnerability, vigilance and vaccination remain crucial in preventing the spread of mpox.
2024-05-16 13:53:25
Original from www.nytimes.com