Key points

• Different Strain: The 2024 mpox variant is a different strain than the one that circulated in 2022-2023.
• More Severe Symptoms: This new strain is associated with more severe symptoms, including higher fever, more extensive rashes, and potentially more serious complications.
• Faster Spread: The new variant may spread more quickly than the previous one, making it easier for people to become infected.
• Higher Risk Groups: Certain groups of people, such as children and pregnant women, may be at a higher risk of severe illness from the new variant.
• Vaccination and Prevention: While the smallpox vaccine is still effective against mpox, it’s important to stay up-to-date on vaccination recommendations and to practice good hygiene to prevent infection.

One of the most significant differences is the severity of symptoms. People infected with the new variant are more likely to experience higher fevers, more extensive rashes, and potentially more serious complications. This is in contrast to the milder symptoms often seen with the previous strain.

Another concern is the potential for faster spread. The new variant may be more contagious than the old one, making it easier for people to become infected. This could lead to larger outbreaks and a more widespread distribution of the virus.

Certain groups of people may be at a higher risk of severe illness from the new variant. Children and pregnant women, for example, may be more susceptible to complications. It’s important for these individuals to be aware of the risks and to take steps to protect themselves.

While the smallpox vaccine is still effective against mpox, it’s important to stay up-to-date on vaccination recommendations. Additionally, practicing good hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding close contact with sick people, can help prevent infection.  

As scientists continue to learn more about the new mpox variant, it’s essential to stay informed and follow the guidance of public health officials. By understanding the risks and taking appropriate precautions, we can help protect ourselves and our communities from this infectious disease.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional for any questions or concerns about mpox.

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Key points

• The Philippines confirmed its first mpox case of 2024, involving a 33-year-old man with no travel history.
• The patient exhibited fever and rashes, typical symptoms of mpox.
• The virus is under investigation to determine if it is the new, deadlier Clade 1 strain spreading in Africa.
• Mpox spreads through close contact and can be dangerous to vulnerable groups.
• The WHO declared mpox a global health emergency, with over 17,000 cases and 500 deaths reported worldwide this year.

The Philippines has reported its first mpox case this year, just days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus a global health emergency. The patient, a 33-year-old Filipino man, showed symptoms more than a week ago, despite having no recent travel history outside the country. His condition has raised concerns about the virus’s potential spread within the Philippines.

The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that the man began experiencing fever over a week ago, followed by a distinct rash on his face, back, and other parts of his body, including the palms and soles of his feet. The rash is a common symptom of mpox, a virus related to smallpox but generally causing milder symptoms.

The health department announced that this is the country’s 10th confirmed case since the mpox virus was first detected in the Philippines in July 2022. All previous patients have recovered, and there have been no fatalities reported from the virus in the country.

“We are awaiting the sequencing results to determine which strain of mpox is responsible for this case,” said DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo. The concern is whether this case involves the new, deadlier variant of mpox (Clade 1), which has emerged in recent outbreaks, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency after a resurgence of the virus in Africa led to outbreaks in several countries. This declaration came in response to the rising number of cases in the DRC, where the virus has infected thousands and led to over 500 deaths this year alone. Clade 1, the newer strain, has spread more rapidly and with a higher fatality rate compared to the previous variant, Clade 2b, which caused global outbreaks in 2022.

Health officials emphasize that the public should remain vigilant, though the risk to the general population is still considered low. Mpox primarily spreads through close contact with infected individuals, and the patient’s lack of travel history suggests the virus could already be circulating within the country.

Mpox typically causes flu-like symptoms, such as fever and body aches, followed by the development of painful, pus-filled lesions. While the disease is usually mild, it can pose serious risks for vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The Philippines is ramping up testing efforts and remains in close coordination with the WHO to monitor and contain the virus. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa reassured the public, saying, “Our health system is working, and we will continue to keep the public informed.”

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Paris: French researchers have documented the first case of a dog with confirmed monkeypox virus infection that might have been acquired through human transmission. Published in medical journal The Lancet, a team from the Sorbonne University in Paris recorded the case of monekypox virus in two men who have sex with men: an HIV-positive Latino man, aged 44 years, living with undetectable viral loads on antiretrovirals; and a HIV-negative white man, aged 27 years.

Twelve days after the onset of monkeypox symptoms, their male Italian greyhound, aged 4 years and with no previous medical disorders, tested positive for the virus. The men, who are non-exclusive partners living in the same household, presented with anal skin ulcer 6 days after sex with other partners.

In the Latino man, anal skin ulcer was followed by rash on the face, ears, and legs, while the white man had it on the legs and back. In both cases, rash was associated with weakness, headaches, and fever 4 days later.The dog, who was co-sleeping with the men, presented with mucocutaneous (involving both typical skin and mucous membrane) lesions, including red, tender bumps with white pus on abdomen and anal skin ulcer.

The team sequenced monkeypox virus DNA from the dog and the Latino man and found that the samples contained virus of the hMPXV-1 clade, lineage B.1, which has been spreading in non-endemic countries since April. “To the best of our knowledge, the kinetics of symptom onset in both patients and, subsequently, in their dog suggest human-to-dog transmission of monkeypox virus,” Sophie Seang,from theA University’s Infectious Diseases Department, along with her team wrote in the paper.

Given the dog’s skin and mucosal lesions as well as the positive monkeypox virus PCR results from anal and oral swabs, we hypothesise a real canine disease, not a simple carriage of the virus by close contact with humans or airborne transmission (or both),” the team added.In endemic countries, only wild animals (rodents and primates) have been found to carry monkeypox virus.

However, transmission of monkeypox virus in prairie dogs has been described in the US and in captive primates in Europe that were in contact with imported infected animals. But infection among domesticated animals, such as dogs and cats, has never been reported, the researchers said, suggesting the need to keep pets away from infected patients.

“Our findings should prompt debate on the need to isolate pets from monkeypox virus-positive individuals,” the team said, calling for further investigation on secondary transmissions via pets.

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A four-year-old from Pforzheim has contracted monkeypox. It is the first case of a child in Germany. When it comes to quarantine, the local health department follows a clear line. There was speculation on the social network Twitter on Saturday, followed by official confirmation on Monday afternoon: a four-year-old girl was infected with monkeypox in Pforzheim. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), this is the first case of monkeypox in a child in Germany.

“The infection was caused by a close contact in the household,” said a spokesman for the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Health. “The child has not developed any symptoms of the disease so far.” The child was therefore examined as a precaution after a case became known in the household. A throat swab then showed that the child was infected.

“Another household member is under health surveillance,” the spokesman continued. There should therefore be no other close contacts of the child who tested positive outside of the household. A total of 127 monkeypox cases had been reported in Baden-Württemberg by Monday afternoon, according to the RKI there are 2,916 nationwide.

Quarantine for those affected and household members

Angelika Edwards says there have already been three cases of monkeypox in Pforzheim. But these were adults, explains the deputy head of the Pforzheim/Enzkreis health department. “Children have really only rarely been affected so far.”

A clear line is being followed during quarantine: three weeks are set for those affected and close household members. In addition, one asks about the beginning of the symptoms and contact persons. As a result, the chances of preventing other people from being infected by the person concerned are very good. In general, however, emphasizes Edwards, further cases of monkeypox can also be expected in Germany. Transmission requires “really close physical contact”, which could also be hugs.

Regardless of this case, the RKI says in its general assessment of monkeypox cases: “According to current knowledge, transmission in this outbreak occurs primarily in the context of sexual activities, currently especially in men who have sexual contact with other men.” There are only seven female cases in Germany.

Two cases in young people from Stuttgart and Erfurt have become known – and now with the case from Pforzheim, for the first time, the case of a child. The RKI recently explained the danger: “As far as is known, most of those affected do not become seriously ill.”

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All content and media on Monkeypox meter website is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Information on this web site may contain inaccuracies or errors and may be changed or updated without notice. Monkeypoxmeter takes absolutely no responsibility for any errors on the site and any reliance you place on the information is therefore strictly at your own risk. 

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