Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that can spread through close contact with infected people, animals or contaminated materials. Surveillance, laboratory confirmation, risk communication and protection of vulnerable groups are central to containing outbreaks without stigma.

World Health Organisation, sounding its highest level of alarm, declared mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on Wednesday. IS IT THE FIRST TIME THIS DECLARATION IS ISSUED FOR MPOX? This is the second time the infection has received the designation in as many years — the outbreak between July 2022 and May 2023 was also declared as PHEIC. WHY WAS THIS DECISION TAKEN? The decision to sound the alarm was taken after an upsurge of cases reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring countries. At least 99,176 cases and 208 deaths due to mpox have been reported from 116 countries since 2022, according to data from the WHO.

ABOUT M POX

WHAT IS MONKEYPOX? It is a viral disease. HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED TO HUMANS? An infected animal transmits the virus to humans through a bite or direct contact. HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED FROM HUMANS TO HUMANS? Transmission happens only through close contact and by touching or sharing the clothes or bedding used by the patient, because the lesions usually have a high viral load. Transmission also extends throughout the course of the illness, till the lesions heal. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX AND HOW LONG DO THEY LAST? Symptoms include:
  • Fever
  • Rashes on the skin (appear on the face, inside palms and the body one to four days after fever.)
  • Headache,
  • Joint Ache
  • Swelling of the lymph glands.
The incubation period for the disease — the time from exposure to the virus to the manifestation of symptoms — ranges from five to 21 days. A NEW MPOX An analysis of patients hospitalised between October and January in Kamituga, eastern Congo, suggests recent genetic mutations in Mpox are the result of its continued transmission in humans. Mpox Outbreak explained for UPSC The lesions reported by most patients are milder and on the genitals, making the disease trickier to diagnose. In previous outbreaks in Africa, lesions were mostly seen on the chest, hands and feet. The new form seems to have a lower death rate. CLADES OF MPOX There are two kinds, or clades, of Mpox, which is related to smallpox and is endemic to Central and West Africa. Clade 1 is more severe, and can kill up to 10% of people infected. Clade 2 triggered the 2022 outbreak; more than 99% of people infected survived. Dr Mbala-Kingebeni and colleagues said they have identified a new form of Clade 1 that may be responsible for more than 240 cases and at least three deaths in Kamituga, a region with a significant transient population travelling elsewhere in Africa and beyond.Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is struggling to contain its biggest Mpox outbreak. Scientists say a new form of the disease detected in a mining town might more easily spread among people. Since January, the DRC (also known as Congo) has reported more than 4,500 suspected Mpox cases and nearly 300 deaths, numbers that have roughly tripled from the same period last year, according to World Health Organization. Congo recently declared the outbreak across the country a health emergency. Cases have been reported in neighbouring Republic of Congo as well.

ABOUT M POX

WHAT IS MONKEYPOX? It is a viral disease. HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED TO HUMANS? An infected animal transmits the virus to humans through a bite or direct contact. HOW IS IT TRANSMITTED FROM HUMANS TO HUMANS? Transmission happens only through close contact and by touching or sharing the clothes or bedding used by the patient, because the lesions usually have a high viral load. Transmission also extends throughout the course of the illness, till the lesions heal. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX AND HOW LONG DO THEY LAST? Symptoms include:
  • Fever
  • Rashes on the skin (appear on the face, inside palms and the body one to four days after fever.)
  • Headache,
  • Joint Ache
  • Swelling of the lymph glands.
The incubation period for the disease — the time from exposure to the virus to the manifestation of symptoms — ranges from five to 21 days. MPOX OUTBREAK explained for UPSC A NEW MPOX An analysis of patients hospitalised between October and January in Kamituga, eastern Congo, suggests recent genetic mutations in Mpox are the result of its continued transmission in humans. The lesions reported by most patients are milder and on the genitals, making the disease trickier to diagnose. In previous outbreaks in Africa, lesions were mostly seen on the chest, hands and feet. The new form seems to have a lower death rate. CLADES OF MPOX There are two kinds, or clades, of Mpox, which is related to smallpox and is endemic to Central and West Africa. Clade 1 is more severe, and can kill up to 10% of people infected. Clade 2 triggered the 2022 outbreak; more than 99% of people infected survived. Dr Mbala-Kingebeni and colleagues said they have identified a new form of Clade 1 that may be responsible for more than 240 cases and at least three deaths in Kamituga, a region with a significant transient population travelling elsewhere in Africa and beyond.

Why This Topic Matters for UPSC

  • Prelims: Revise definitions, institutions, locations, reports and factual features connected with Mpox Outbreak: Transmission, Symptoms and Public-Health Response.
  • Mains: Link the topic with Health, International Institutions, One Health and organise the answer under background, significance, challenges and way forward.
  • Interview: Explain the issue in balanced language and distinguish verified facts from opinion.

Key Takeaway

Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that can spread through close contact with infected people, animals or contaminated materials. Surveillance, laboratory confirmation, risk communication and protection of vulnerable groups are central to containing outbreaks without stigma.