Associated Press

Mpox outbreaks in Africa could be ended in 6 months, WHO chief says

Guardian

Another worldwide alert – mpox is spreading. Here are three steps we can take to head it off | Gordon Brown

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first diagnostic test for mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. The PCR test detects "DNA from pustular or vesicular rash samples" from skin lesions, according to the agency.

BBC News

The approval of the test, named Alinity m MPXV assay and developed by Abbott Laboratories, comes as the WHO is reviewing three diagnostic tests for emergency use.

Reuters

The WHO is using its emergency authorization while two strains of mpox are now spreading: the clade 1 variant, which is endemic in West and Central Africa; and the clade 1b variant, which has been found across the globe, including India, Thailand, and Sweden.

Al Jazeera

In August, the global health body declared mpox a global emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that spread to Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda.

According to the WHO, 37% of suspected cases in the DRC have been tested this year, with at least 635 people dying from the virus in the country and over 800 dying across the continent of Africa.

Ghana recently became the latest country to confirm a case of the clade 1b strain, with its health department claiming to be tracking 25 potential other cases. There have been more than 30K suspected cases across Africa.

Africanews

Associated Press #1

Guardian #1

BBC News #

WHO #

Reuters #

Al Jazeera #

Africanews #

Since the WHO declared this an emergency in August, the global health community has ramped up its public health regimens. While this robust program has included both testing and treatments, roadblocks — including vaccine hesitancy and lack of funding — still persist. It's now paramount that every country, particularly in Africa where the virus is endemic, begin looking for flu-like symptoms and conducting mass testing and vaccinations.

Harvard Health

Harvard Health #

Mpox is back: What to know and do

Despite the WHO's confidence, it appears the global health body is making all the same mistakes it did with COVID. We don't actually know if there are multiple strains, nor is it clear if this is an animal-to-human virus or a sexually transmitted disease. The world can't even rely on the efficacy of these emerging PCR tests, but what it can expect is for the WHO to push for experimental treatment mandates and censorship.

Youtube

Youtube #

- YouTube

There's a 50% chance that there will be at least 27.8K confirmed cases of mpox in 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

Global Confirmed monkeypox (mpox) Infections

Glody Murhabazi/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

WHO Approves First Mpox PCR Test

Diseases & conditions

Medicine & healthcare

Central Africa

West Africa

Since the WHO declared mpox an emergency in August, the global health community has ramped up its public health regimens. While this robust program has included both testing and treatments, roadblocks — including vaccine hesitancy and lack of funding — still persist. It's now paramount that every country, particularly in Africa where the virus is endemic, begin looking for flu-like symptoms and conducting mass testing and vaccinations.

WHO Approves First Mpox PCR Test

WHO Approves First Mpox PCR Test

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

WHO Approves First Mpox PCR Test

WHO Approves First Mpox PCR Test

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters