Several Asian nations are toughening their border controls in response to a new deadlier variant of the mpox virus.
Two cases of the strain, known as Clade 1b, were detected in Sweden and Thailand respectively over the past ten days.
They are the first two confirmed cases outside of Africa, where an outbreak which started in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year has spread to neighbouring countries, claiming hundreds of lives.
New health measures have been introduced or are set to be introduced in Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.
Most involve checks on arrivals, such as temperature screening, while some nations are preparing to quarantine people who show symptoms.
UK STEPS UP SUPPORT TO TACKLE MPOX OUTBREAK ON VISIT TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
Africa Minister Lord Collins has announced new funding to tackle the outbreak of mpox cases in the DRC.
During a visit to the Institute National de Recherche Biomedical (National Institute of Biomedical Research) in the DRC, Lord Collins announced £3.1m of UK funding for a new partnership with UNICEF that will benefit over 4.4 million people in affected communities as well as help preventing the further spread of mpox to neighbouring countries.
This funding announcement follows a declaration from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the upsurge of mpox in the DRC and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
Shares in mpox vaccine maker soar amid outbreak
As nations mobilise to combat the escalating mpox outbreak, shares of Danish biotech Bavarian Nordic have surged.
This follows strong earnings and a large order of the mpox vaccine in which the company announced a 440,000 dose contract to an undisclosed European country.
It is the only shot authorised to be used against the virus in the US and EU.
It is sold under the brand names of names Jynneos, Imvamune and Imvanex – and pulled in around 680 million Danish kroner (£77,290,840) for the year.
During early trading in Copenhagen this morning stocks jumped by more than 12%.
Thailand confirms case of new dangerous strain of mpox
Thailand has confirmed that a case of mpox in the country is the new clade 1 variant.
This variant has also been confirmed in various countries in Africa and also Sweden.
The infected 66-year-old European man arrived in Bangkok from an unnamed African country on August 14.
He has had minimal contact with others since he arrived, according to health authorities.
The infection in Thailand is the first confirmed case of Clade 1 in Asia and the second outside of Africa.
Authorities tracked down around 43 patients who were sitting in the rows near the unidentified man, and those who met him after he landed.
These people will be monitored for 21 days.
The country now also requires people travelling from 42 ‘risk countries’ to test on arrival.
Are travel restrictions in place amid mpox outbreak?
The spread of the new clade 1 variant has caused concern among some countries, particularly in Asia where measures have been ramped up.
While there are no travel restrictions currently in place, governments in different countries are taking measures to protect travellers.
In India, the government has directed airports, ports, and border authorities to stay vigilant while some hospitals have facilities for isolating suspected mpox cases.
Indonesia has introduced health screening for foreign travellers who must complete forms disclosing medical history and recent travel activities.
Meanwhile in China there is enhanced airport surveillance to isolate and test affected travellers and those with symptoms must report their condition on entry.
Airport screening has also been introduced in South Africa and Kenya has introduced testing procedures for travellers entering the country to identify mpox cases and prevent their spread.
Nigeria is implementing a declaration process for travellers heading to specific regions in Africa, while Pakistan has prepared hospital wards for a potential mpox outbreak following the detection of a case there.
Border controls ramped up in Asia amid concerns about new mpox variant
Border controls across various Asian countries have been ramped up after a suspected case of the clade 1 variant was found in Thailand.
South Korea is now monitoring passengers from high-risk countries, which includes Ethiopia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Meanwhile Taiwan has started to stockpile vaccines and has launched immunisation programmes for high-risk groups.
And Pakistan has introduced screening at airports following the discovery of a case in the country.
Minister visits Africa as UK steps up support amid mpox outbreak
The government has stepped up its support following the outbreak of mpox as Africa Minister Lord Collins visits the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He announced £3.1m of UK funding for a new partnership with Unicef.
The funding announcement follows a declaration from the World Health Organisation (WHO) last week that mpox is now a global health emergency.
Lord Collins said: ‘Working together, with our partners and using the expertise and dedication of Congolese scientists, including those at the world-leading research centre I have visited in DRC, our support will play an important role in ensuring global health security for all.
‘By protecting the health and well-being of communities across DRC, and by helping contain these outbreaks, we reduce the risk of diseases spreading further afield. This will ultimately benefit us all.’
Argentina health officials rule out suspected case of mpox on grains ship
Health officials in Argentina said on Wednesday that a test to determine if a crew member on a quarantined grains cargo ship was infected with the mpox virus had come back negative, according to a statement from the health ministry.
The crew member, an Indian national who had developed cyst-like skin lesions on his chest and face, was working on the ship that was traveling along a key commodities route near the inland river port city of Rosario.
Authorities had quarantined the ship in the Parana River as a precaution.
In its statement, the health ministry said the individual tested negative for mpox, but positive for chicken pox.
Bavarian Nordic gets 440,000 dose contract to supply smallpox and mpox vaccines
Danish biotech firm Bavarian Nordic said on Wednesday that it has received a contract to supply 440,000 doses of its smallpox and mpox vaccines to an undisclosed European country.
The company said the latest order was anticipated as part of its outlook for the year, and has no impact on the remaining capacity for its smallpox and mpox vaccine.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that an outbreak of mpox, a viral infection that spreads through close contact, represents a global health emergency for the second time in two years.
‘Bavarian Nordic can still supply up to 10 million doses of our smallpox and mpox vaccine by the end of next year, with 2 million doses of this capacity available during the remaining part of this year, said CEO Paul Chaplin.
The company could ramp up production of its mpox vaccine even before having orders lined up, based on the outcome of talks this week with the WHO, Chaplin told Reuters on Tuesday.
UN migration agency appeals for $18.5 million in for mpox outbreak
The United Nation’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM) appealed on Wednesday for $18.5 million in assistance to provide health care services to people impacted by the mpox outbreak in East and Southern Africa, according to a statement.
‘The spread of mpox across East, Horn, and Southern Africa is a grave concern, especially for the vulnerable migrant, highly mobile populations and displaced communities often overlooked in such crises,’ said IOM Director General Amy Pope.
Is there an mpox vaccine?
Yes there is a vaccine for mpox.
The UN health agency recommends several vaccines for use against mpox.
At present, WHO recommends use of MVA-BN or LC16 vaccines, or the ACAM2000 vaccine when the others are not available.
Only people who are at risk of exposure to mpox should be considered for vaccination. Travellers who may be at risk based on an individual risk assessment with their healthcare provider, may wish to consider vaccination.
Mass vaccination which rolled out during the coronavirus pandemic, is not currently recommended.
Research has led to the development of newer and safer vaccines for the now eradicated disease smallpox. Some of these vaccines have been approved in various countries for use against mpox.
Health chiefs in Guernsey ‘closely monitoring’ mpox situation
Health chiefs in Guernsey have confirmed they are ‘closely monitoring’ the mpox outbreak after a case of the clade 1 variant was found in Sweden last week.
Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink said a ‘multi-disciplinary team’ would meet to discuss the outbreak this week.
She said: ‘We are monitoring the global situation closely and are keeping it under review.’
It comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) said last week that mpox is now a global health emergency.
Minister visits Africa as UK steps up support to tackle mpox outbreak
The government has stepped up its support following the outbreak of mpox as Africa Minister Lord Collins visits the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He announced £3.1m of UK funding for a new partnership with Unicef.
The funding announcement follows a declaration from the World Health Organisation (WHO) last week that mpox is now a global health emergency.
Lord Collins said: ‘Working together, with our partners and using the expertise and dedication of Congolese scientists, including those at the world-leading research centre I have visited in DRC, our support will play an important role in ensuring global health security for all.
‘By protecting the health and well-being of communities across DRC, and by helping contain these outbreaks, we reduce the risk of diseases spreading further afield. This will ultimately benefit us all.’
Case of mpox reported in Philippines is clade 2 variant
A recently detected mpox case in the Philippines is the mild clade 2 variant, it has been confirmed.
Health Secretary for the country Teodoro Herbosa told the ANC news channel: ‘The mpox we found was the original variety and probably it could have been circulating in our community.’
The country announced on Monday that it had detected a case of the virus but it was unknown at the time which variant it was.
The 33-year-old Filipino male who had no travel history outside the Philippines is now recovering in hospital.
Symptoms of mpox virus
According to the NHS, if you get infected with mpox, it usually takes between 5 and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear.
The first symptoms of mpox include:
- a high temperature
- a headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen glands
- shivering (chills)
- exhaustion
- joint pain
A rash usually appears 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms. The rash often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body. This can include the mouth, genitals and anus.
You may also have anal pain or bleeding from your bottom.
The rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox. It starts as raised spots, which turn into small blisters filled with fluid. These blisters eventually form scabs which later fall off.
The symptoms usually clear up in a few weeks. While you have symptoms, you can pass mpox on to other people.
Map shows spread of mpox clade 1 variant
The above map shows countries across the world where the new clade 1 variant of mpox has been detected.
Confirmed cases where the clade 1 variant has been recorded include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Uganda, Kenya, Sweden and Thailand.
Countries where risk of exposure has been reported include South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and Angola.
Africa calls for solidarity rather than travel bans over mpox outbreak
Health officials in Africa have appealed for the international community not to impose travel bans over the spread of mpox.
The new clade 1 variant has been linked to about 1,400 new cases and 24 deaths in Africa so far.
Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said: ‘We hear from here and there that you want to apply travel bans … we need solidarity, we need you to provide appropriate support, this vaccine is expensive.
‘I clearly request our partners to stop thinking about travel bans against Africa, that will bring us back to the unfair treatment from the Covid period and not help the world to move forward.’
Thailand detects suspected case of mpox in European traveller
A suspected case of the clade 1 variant has been detected in a European traveller in Thailand.
The 66-year-old man arrived from an unnamed African country on August 14.
He has had minimal contact with other people since he arrived in the country, health authorities confirmed.
Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, head of the Department of Disease Control, told Reuters: ‘After he arrives from the flight there is very little timeframe where he comes into contact with others.
‘He arrived around 6pm and on the next day, 15 August, he went to see the doctor at the hospital.’
Authorities are monitoring 43 individuals who may have been in contact with the patient.
‘We have done a test and they definitely have mpox and it’s definitely not Clade 2,’ Mr Thongchai told AFP.
‘We are convinced the person has the Clade 1 variant, but we have to wait to see the final result in the lab for two more days.’
One dead after catching mpox in Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast health authorities on Tuesday reported 28 cases of mpox, with one person dying from the virus that has killed hundreds in Democratic Republic of Congo.
The total has risen from six declared cases on August 1.
The National Public Hygiene Institute (INHP) recorded ’28 confirmed cases including one death’ across the country as of Tuesday, said an INHP doctor Daouda Coulibaly.
The fatal case and some others were recorded in the country’s economic capital Abidjan, the INHP said.
Coulibaly said tests were being carried out to identify the strain of the latest mpox cases.
Ship in Argentina’s Parana river is quarantined over suspected mpox case
A ship on Argentina’s Parana River near the grains hub of Rosario has been quarantined due to a suspected case of mpox, local media reported on Tuesday.
The ship is flying a Liberian flag, outlet Infobae reported, citing sources from Argentina’s naval league.
According to the outlet, the ship’s captain reported that a person on board with ‘symptoms compatible with the virus’ required medical assistance.
Test results are pending, Infobae reported.
So far in Argentina, the nation’s health authority has confirmed eight cases of mpox.
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