After a long fight with the deadly COVID-19 virus, an urgent warning has been issued against the spread of Marburg, mpox and Oropouche in at least 17 countries now
After a prolonged battle with the deadly COVID-19 virus, an urgent warning has been issued about the spread of Marburg, Mpox, and Oropouche, now affecting at least 17 countries. Travellers are advised to exercise heightened caution regarding a new pathogen, referred to as the ‘Bleeding Eye’ virus due to one of its symptoms. Believed to be among the deadliest pathogens on earth, it could spread further across African nations already grappling with outbreaks of other viruses.
In South America and the tourist-friendly Caribbean, the Oropouche virus, transmitted through midge bites, is causing concern. Meanwhile, Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) continues to be a public health emergency of international concern, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), as its cases and geographic spread increase.
Initially reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Mpox outbreak has escalated significantly. Cases caused by clade Ib of the virus have now been identified in over six WHO regions, with hotspots in the DRC, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. Clade Ib, which has one of the highest mortality rates, has moved beyond circulation within commercial sexual networks to infect broader populations, including households and entire communities. This expansion has led to infections across a wider range of age and vulnerability groups and has resulted in co-infections and co-circulation with other clades and pathogens, according to the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee.
Controlling the spread of Mpox presents significant challenges. Delayed testing, inadequate contact tracing, insufficient public education, and patchy vaccination coverage have hindered containment efforts. Logistical issues and vaccine hesitancy further complicate distribution. Although over 1.1 million vaccine doses have been allocated, their effectiveness in children and immunocompromised individuals remains uncertain.
The WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have launched a joint response plan focusing on surveillance, equitable vaccine distribution, and regional collaboration. However, only $40.6 million of the $87.4 million needed for WHO’s Mpox emergency response has been secured, highlighting a critical funding shortfall.
To address the complex dynamics of transmission, the WHO recommends intensified local efforts, strengthened international partnerships, and the integration of predictive modelling to anticipate and prepare for future outbreaks.
Courtesy: Down To Earth
Note: This news is originally published in downtoearth.org.in and is used completely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes especially for human rights
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