Mpox, formerly called Monkeypox

Why is monkeypox spreading at an accelerated rate now?

I've read that the initial genomic analysis suggests that the increased transmission of the monkeypox virus is not due to mutations of the virus. Is SARS-2 causing immune suppression that favors transmission of the monkeypox virus?
 
When I first heard about monkeypox recently, I thought, really? Are worries about climate change, pandemics, racism, misogyny, gun violence, the toppling of democracies, and inflation not enough? Must we also deal with a new catastrophe? My anxiety closet is already bulging.

But from what I've read, there isn't a lot to worry about presently although we need to keep informed about the current monkeypox cases amid questions about its transmission. I was relieved to read that the smallpox vaccine many of us had as children offers a good bit of protection since it lasts a long time. But I do wonder how long. The article I read said people have good antibodies even 50 years later. I had my smallpox vaccine longer ago than that.

It is reassuring that the U.S. has so much smallpox vaccine stockpiled, but there would need to be plenty around the world if smallpox vaccines for monkeypox were recommended.
 
I really hope that monkeypox does not become an excuse to further stigmatize the gay community. From what I've read, the transmission of these recent cases is thought to be from close contact, such as when people have sex. It's not conclusive that's it's being transmitted by gay sex.
 
Quite. Although a significant number of the cases do appear to have been in that community, at least in the initial stages. Not sure what the situation is now.
 
Merged thread

New UK research consortium to tackle monkeypox outbreak

The UK’s efforts to tackle the monkeypox outbreak will receive a £2 million boost with the creation of a new research consortium.

The consortium
The consortium will work together to develop better diagnostic tests, identify potential therapies and study vaccine effectiveness and the virus’ spread.

The consortium brings together 25 leading researchers and scientists from 12 institutions across the UK. It has received £2 million from the Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Medical Research Council (MRC), both part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The consortium is led by The Pirbright Institute and the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research.

The researchers at institutes and universities will work closely with experts at government agencies to study the current outbreak and inform the public health response in the UK and internationally. These agencies include:

  • Animal and Plant Health Agency
  • UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
  • Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
https://www.ukri.org/news/new-uk-research-consortium-to-tackle-monkeypox-outbreak/
 
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Merged thread

Mpox declared a global health emergency by WHO

Mpox has been declared a global health emergency as health experts issue a major warning.

An outbreak of the virus, also known as monkeypox, has already killed at least 450 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The disease, which is passed on through close physical contact, including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or holding hands, has spread across central and east Africa.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the outbreak was being treated as a global emergency on Wednesday, as he declared the spread "very worrying". "A co-ordinated international response is essential to stop this outbreak and save lives," he said in a press conference.
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Mpox outbreak fears as deadly virus spread through close contact kills 450 (msn.com)
 
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Five countries tighten border screening as new mpox variant spreads
Five countries tighten border screening as new mpox variant spreads
Several Asian nations are toughening their border controls in response to a new deadlier variant of the mpox virus. Two cases of the strain, known as Clade 1b, were detected in Sweden and Thailand respectively over the past ten days. They are the first two confirmed cases outside of Africa, where an outbreak which started in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year has spread to neighbouring countries, claiming hundreds of lives
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Five countries tighten border screening as new mpox variant spreads (msn.com)
 
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Merged thread

Man tests positive for monkeypox, COVID and HIV after holiday to Spain

A 36-year-old patient in Italy returned from holiday in Spain and later presented with a series of symptoms that led doctors to carry out a series of tests. They found he was the first patient so far discovered to have COVID, monkeypox and HIV.

LINK
 
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