BTN News: The spread of the new clade Ib variant of Mpox (monkeypox) has sparked a renewed sense of urgency across Latin America, despite no confirmed cases of this particular strain being reported in the region so far. Following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a global public health emergency, health authorities throughout Latin America have heightened their epidemiological surveillance and are implementing proactive measures to prepare for potential outbreaks. Colombia, in particular, has intensified monitoring efforts, issuing specific guidelines to healthcare workers and high-risk populations in an attempt to curb any possible spread.
Since May 2022, Colombia has reported 4,257 cases of Mpox, with 111 of those occurring in 2024. The overwhelming majority of these cases, 99.1%, have been in men, and the most affected regions include Bogotá, Antioquia, and Cali, which together account for 84.8% of the cases. These statistics underscore the importance of maintaining vigilant monitoring, particularly in these high-incidence areas, as the region braces for potential incursions of the more dangerous clade Ib variant.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has provided detailed data on Mpox in the Americas, revealing that 16 countries in the region have reported cases since 2023. The United States has been hit the hardest, with 1,716 cases and one death. Brazil follows with 702 cases, while Canada has reported 162. In contrast, some countries, such as Bolivia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, have reported only a single case each. Despite these variations, the region remains on high alert due to the potential for rapid spread, especially among vulnerable populations.
The PAHO has noted that the majority of Mpox cases in the Americas have been identified through healthcare services catering to individuals with HIV, sexual health services, or primary and secondary healthcare centers. Notably, the virus has predominantly affected men who have sex with men, although it is not exclusively limited to this group. This pattern highlights the need for targeted interventions and heightened awareness among healthcare providers and at-risk populations.
In Venezuela, authorities have launched a comprehensive epidemiological surveillance plan specifically targeting the new clade Ib variant of Mpox. This plan includes monitoring individuals arriving from countries where outbreaks have been confirmed, aiming to detect and respond to any suspected cases as early as possible. The Venezuelan government is also in the process of acquiring vaccines to strengthen the epidemiological barrier, particularly for high-risk groups, signaling a proactive stance in preventing the spread of this new and more contagious variant.
Mexico’s National Committee for Epidemiological Surveillance (Conave) has issued a nationwide alert, instructing medical units across the country to monitor and report probable cases of Mpox. Similarly, Peru’s Ministry of Health has released an epidemiological alert, urging healthcare facilities to enhance surveillance, ensure adequate care for those affected, and bolster the operational capacity of laboratories equipped to identify Mpox cases.
Other countries in the region, such as Paraguay, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, are also ramping up their preventive measures. Paraguay, while not having reported any confirmed cases, remains in a state of active surveillance, maintaining a zero-case status through intensified monitoring and differential diagnostics. El Salvador has strengthened border controls and enhanced its national laboratory capabilities, while Nicaragua has activated epidemiological surveillance to detect any suspected cases based on symptoms and travel history.
Puerto Rico is also taking the threat seriously, with the College of Health Services Administrators (CASS) implementing a protection plan for healthcare workers to ensure they are well-equipped and informed to prevent the spread of Mpox. This approach underscores the importance of protecting those on the front lines of the healthcare system, who are at increased risk of exposure.
On a global scale, Sweden was the first country outside of Africa to detect a case of the new Mpox variant. However, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has assessed the risk of a major outbreak in Europe as “very low to low.” Despite this, the clade Ib variant’s ability to spread through close contact, even in the absence of sexual contact, combined with its higher danger level compared to the 2022 variant, has prompted widespread caution. The previous variant led to a significant health alert that was only lifted in May after the situation was deemed under control.
Mpox, which can cause painful or itchy rashes, swollen lymph nodes, and in some cases, serious complications, was first identified in the late 1950s, with the first human case reported two decades later. As the world confronts the emergence of the new clade Ib variant, the importance of early detection, comprehensive vaccination strategies, and robust public health measures cannot be overstated. The collective efforts of health authorities across Latin America and beyond are crucial in preventing a resurgence of this virus and safeguarding public health on a global scale.
