Written by Joshua Thompson.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent directive for governments worldwide to brace for stringent lockdowns. The reasoning behind this is the “strong likelihood” that a new strain of monkeypox could evolve into a severe pandemic. On Wednesday, the WHO officially classified monkeypox as a “public health emergency of international concern.” This decision comes in response to the alarming spread of a particularly virulent strain of the virus, which poses a higher death rate than the variant observed in 2022.
Current reports indicate that this new strain, which appears to be spreading without necessarily involving sexual contact, is causing significant concern. The strain has been identified primarily in central Africa, but experts predict it could soon spread to other regions. According to Noqreport.com, the new mutant strain, while still relatively localized, has a high probability of expanding globally.
Confirmed Cases Surge Beyond Initial Outbreak Zones
The initial outbreak of the “clade 1b” strain of monkeypox was confined to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). However, over the past month, more than 100 cases have been reported in neighboring countries including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Experts believe these figures may be an underestimation, as many cases compatible with monkeypox have yet to be confirmed through laboratory testing. The failure of containment strategies is now evident, with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressing deep concern over the potential for further spread both within Africa and beyond.
Tedros emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting, “The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighboring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying.” This new strain of monkeypox is more transmissible and deadly than previous versions, raising alarms among health officials globally.
New Strain’s Characteristics and Spread
This new monkeypox strain, identified as clade I, presents a far greater risk than the clade II strain seen in 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that clade I could result in up to a 10% mortality rate, in contrast to the over 99% survival rate of the previous strain. Additionally, while the 2022 outbreak primarily affected gay and bisexual men through close contact and sexual transmission, the current outbreak shows a concerning trend of higher rates among children. This shift might be attributed to factors such as increased susceptibility in younger populations, overcrowded living conditions, or exposure from infected caregivers.
Experts like Dr. Boghuma Titanji from Emory University suggest that the spread among children and within households points to a more versatile mode of transmission. The virus appears to be capable of spreading outside traditional routes, including household contact and person-to-person transmission without sexual activity.
Potential for Broader Impact and Future Concerns
With the new strain reportedly being able to spread via non-sexual means, the potential impact is substantial. The previous strategy of avoiding certain sexual behaviors as a preventive measure is no longer sufficient. John Claude Udahemuka, a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, has described this strain as “undoubtedly the most dangerous of all the known strains of mpox.” He highlights severe consequences such as miscarriages and blindness caused by this virus. As we await further developments, there’s growing concern that monkeypox might only be the tip of the iceberg.
The WHO has a comprehensive list of 37 potential pathogens that could spark future pandemics, including well-known diseases like Ebola, SARS, and MERS, alongside newer threats. The relentless quest to engineer more virulent strains in laboratories worldwide only exacerbates these fears. The collective capacity to create and control these “super diseases” seems perilously out of balance, risking widespread fatalities due to scientific recklessness.
Our Take
This global alarm over monkeypox reflects a broader trend of escalating pandemic fears, often exacerbated by media and institutional responses. While the rise of a new, more deadly strain of monkeypox is concerning, the overwhelming emphasis on preparedness for severe outbreaks can sometimes overshadow practical solutions and calm, measured responses. The focus on hypothetical scenarios might inadvertently stoke unnecessary panic and divert attention from more immediate, actionable measures.
As the world grapples with these fears, the focus should ideally shift towards tangible, effective public health strategies rather than escalating panic over potential future threats. This approach could better balance preparedness with practical solutions, ultimately providing more stability and clarity in uncertain times.
