Germany has reported the first case of a novel, possibly fatal mpox variety, which is a major discovery in the global health scene and represents another step in the disease’s spread outside of Africa. On October 18, 2024, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) verified that a patient who had got the virus overseas had the clade 1b strain.
Global Emergency Declaration for mpox
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has taken the remarkable step of declaring mpox a public health emergency of international concern for the second time in two years, prompted by:
- A severe outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- At least 450 deaths reported in the DRC since 2021
- The emergence and “rapid spread” of the new clade 1b strain
- Concerning transmission patterns through sexual networks
Spread Beyond Africa
The virus’s geographic expansion has been swift and concerning:
- First detection outside Africa: Sweden (August 15)
- First Asian case: Thailand (European traveler from Africa)
- Subsequent confirmations in India and Thailand
- Latest case: Germany (October 18)
Regional mpox Impact in Africa
The outbreak has significantly affected several African nations, with more than 100 cases confirmed in countries neighboring the DRC:
- Burundi
- Kenya
- Rwanda
- Uganda
Notably, these countries had no previous history of mpox cases until this outbreak.
German Health Authority’s Response to mpox
The RKI has provided reassurance while maintaining vigilance:
- Current risk to general public health in Germany deemed “low”
- Close monitoring of the situation continues
- Previous experience with approximately 3,800 cases of clade 2b variant since May 2022
- No fatalities reported in Germany to date
Understanding mpox
Key information about the disease:
Transmission and Symptoms:
- Primarily spreads through close physical contact, especially sexual contact
- Incubation period: 6-13 days
- Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, and distinctive rash
- Rash can spread rapidly across the body, including palms and feet
- Most cases resolve within 2-4 weeks with mild to moderate symptoms
Global mpox Impact
The WHO’s latest statistics reveal the extensive reach of all mpox variants:
- Over 100,000 laboratory-confirmed cases worldwide
- Affecting 120 countries
- More than 220 deaths among confirmed cases
mpox Situation in the UK
The United Kingdom reports:
- 286 cases in 2023 and early 2024
- 3,732 confirmed and highly probable cases in 2022
- No detection of the new clade 1b strain to date
Health authorities worldwide continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of surveillance and preventive measures as this new variant emerges in more countries.