A new variant of the mpox virus is gaining ground in Central Africa, where the epidemic has been declared out of control by the World Health Organization (WHO). While a first case was confirmed in Europe last week, we answer five questions about this new variant that should soon arrive in Quebec.
Why did the WHO sound the alarm?
There are two strains of the MPOX virus, also called monkeypox: clade 1 and clade 2.
Of particular concern is a new subtype of the virus, clade 1b, which causes more severe symptoms and is more contagious.
This new variant has been circulating in Africa, mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since December 2023. Its spread to neighboring countries forced the WHO to trigger its highest level of alert at the international level on August 14.
The only case of clade 1b contamination outside the African continent was reported in Sweden on August 15. A case of mpox reported in the Philippines on August 19 is currently under investigation.
WHO is clear: Europe must prepare for an increase in clade 1b cases. It is also only a matter of time before this new variant is detected in Canada and elsewhere in the world, experts warn.
Clade 2 cases are also expected to increase in the coming weeks.
What are the symptoms of MPOX?
The characteristic symptom of the MPOX virus: skin lesions that appear between three and 21 days after infection, according to Health Canada.
These lesions turn into small bumps on the skin (papules) which then fill with fluid (vesicles). They evolve into pustules, more opaque and harder, before forming scabs and healing.
People with the condition may also have fever, muscle aches, respiratory symptoms, sore throat and headache.
Is MPOX fatal?
The mortality rate of clade 1b is estimated at around 4%, but could be as high as 11% in children, according to the WHO. The new variant has already claimed more than 570 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo this year.
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Photo AFP
photo-desc">A photo taken at a treatment center for the MPOX virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In comparison, the mortality rate of the clade 2 virus, which is already circulating in Canada and Quebec, is less than 1%.
How is MPOX transmitted?
The virus is transmitted mainly through direct physical contact with infectious lesions on the skin, which can occur during sexual intercourse, but also through other close contacts, such as hugging or kissing, warns the WHO.
An infected person is contagious from the onset of symptoms and will remain so until the scabs disappear (and a new layer of skin forms) and other lesions (mouth, eyes, etc.) heal.
Healing usually takes two to four weeks.
Are there any vaccines?
There are two vaccines, one of which is available in Quebec. At present, however, it is reserved for people targeted by public health authorities.
Vaccines are expected to be effective against both types of the virus.
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AFP
These vaccines are not currently available in Africa, but millions of doses, mainly from the United States and Japan, are expected to arrive there in the coming weeks.
On Monday, Canada pledged $1 million to the WHO to help slow the spread of the virus.
− With information from theAFP, The World and the BBC
