BTN News: In a move that underscores the growing urgency of the situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox (monkeypox) a global health emergency once again. The epicenter of concern is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where an alarming increase in cases over the past two years has strained the country’s health system. Despite ongoing efforts, prevention strategies have largely failed, leading to a spiraling crisis that has captured international attention.
While Colombia has kept Mpox largely under control for over a year, the WHO’s announcement pushes countries worldwide to reinforce preventive measures and ramp up surveillance in anticipation of potential outbreaks. Health authorities in Colombia are confident in their ability to intensify epidemiological monitoring, especially since the Mpox strain present in the country shows distinct characteristics compared to the deadlier variants affecting Africa.
Between May 2022 and August 2024, Colombia reported 4,257 Mpox cases, with just 109 recorded in 2024. Notably, 99.1% of the cases have occurred in men, with the majority concentrated in Bogotá, Antioquia, and Cali. The spread in these regions accounts for a significant 84.8% of national cases. However, the Mpox clade circulating in Colombia (Clade II) is associated with lower severity and a much lower mortality rate compared to the variant causing devastation in the DRC. According to global health authorities, Clade II has a mortality rate of around 1% or less, particularly in areas where adequate healthcare is available.
The DRC, however, faces a far graver challenge. The Clade I variant of Mpox, which has been responsible for surging cases in the region, has undergone mutations that make it more deadly and better adapted to human-to-human transmission. By 2023, DRC had seen its number of suspected cases triple, reaching over 14,600, with 654 deaths. The situation in 2024 only worsened, with over 12,300 suspected cases reported by mid-year. These numbers have prompted urgent calls from health officials to tackle the crisis, which now impacts 23 of the country’s provinces.
Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized the severity of the Mpox outbreak on the continent, and CDC Africa Director Jean Kaseya urged for the international community to mobilize resources and provide technical support to the hardest-hit countries. The scope of the Mpox crisis has drawn comparisons to the global fight against COVID-19, but experts stress that the two viruses differ considerably in terms of transmissibility, severity, and global impact.
Mpox, caused by an Orthopoxvirus, spreads primarily through direct contact with bodily fluids, lesions, or contaminated materials, such as clothing or bedding. The virus requires prolonged close contact for transmission, unlike COVID-19, which spreads rapidly through respiratory droplets and aerosols. Mpox outbreaks tend to be limited in scale due to its lower contagion rate and its self-limiting nature, particularly in countries with access to healthcare. While COVID-19 quickly escalated into a global pandemic, Mpox remains more geographically contained, though it continues to present a significant health threat in regions like the DRC.
Symptoms of Mpox begin with fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue, followed by swollen lymph nodes, a key distinguishing feature from other similar illnesses. Soon after, a distinctive rash develops, progressing through stages from flat spots to raised bumps filled with fluid, eventually forming pustules that scab over and heal. The rash often starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body, including the hands and feet. Although the illness can be uncomfortable, most patients recover with supportive care, which includes managing fever, pain, and ensuring adequate hydration. Cases remain contagious until all lesions have fully healed and crusts have fallen off.
In Colombia, the public health response has been proactive. Authorities have implemented intensified monitoring at key entry points, including Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport, and established a network of epidemiological surveillance and contact tracing teams. Special attention is being paid to communities at higher risk, including individuals with HIV, syphilis, and those involved in sex work. The Ministry of Health is also focusing on educational campaigns to raise awareness of Mpox in high-risk populations, while ramping up public health measures in nightlife establishments and LGBTQ+ centers.
Vaccination offers another line of defense. Although no specific vaccine for Mpox is yet widely available, existing smallpox vaccines offer some level of cross-protection. Two vaccines are currently being evaluated in clinical trials – one from Europe and another from Japan, known as LC16m8. Developed in Japan, the LC16m8 vaccine is an attenuated version of the vaccinia virus used in previous smallpox vaccines but has been modified for enhanced safety and fewer side effects. This is particularly important for immunocompromised populations. Colombia has partnered with Japan to conduct clinical trials for the LC16m8 vaccine, with studies focusing on immunocompromised individuals and those at greater risk of contracting the virus.
Though Mpox remains less of a threat globally than other recent viral outbreaks, its persistence, particularly in regions like the DRC, requires ongoing vigilance. Experts agree that comparing Mpox to COVID-19 is not warranted, given their differing modes of transmission and impact on populations. However, public awareness and preventive measures remain critical, particularly in areas where healthcare access may be limited or where high-risk populations reside.
In the absence of a widely available antiviral treatment for Mpox, most patients receive supportive care, including hydration and pain management. In severe cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections. For those with compromised immune systems or severe symptoms, the antiviral tecovirimat (TPOXX) has been used under emergency protocols in some regions. This antiviral, originally developed for smallpox, works by preventing the virus from escaping infected cells, reducing the severity of the disease. However, access to this treatment remains limited and is subject to regional regulations.
As global health organizations continue to monitor the situation closely, the focus remains on preventing further spread and providing timely care to those affected. In Colombia and elsewhere, authorities emphasize the importance of public education, proper hygiene practices, and, where available, vaccination to limit the impact of future outbreaks.
The fight against Mpox highlights the importance of global collaboration in addressing emerging health threats, as well as the need for strong public health infrastructures that can respond swiftly to prevent localized outbreaks from evolving into larger crises.
