#mpox Transmission

[ricisidro]

Presently, the CDC states that MPox is not airborne. However, as with all viruses, they have the ability to mutate. It is unknown if this has occurred with the current outbreak of MPox. Further information and testing on the spread of this illness is necessary.

#MPoxTransmission #Mpox #Mpox2024 #epidemic #MpoxOutbreak #CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/0509-monkeypox-transmission.html

[trendynewsnow]

Navigating Flu Season and Emerging Viral Threats

Understanding the Challenges of Flu Season As we transition into the season often referred to as flu season—spanning from autumn through spring—health officials would like to remind everyone of the significance of this period. During these months, children return to school, adults congregate indoors, and respiratory viruses, including the influenza virus, begin to circulate widely. The act of…

[aanews69]

All our links in one place:https://sleekbio.com/aanews69Visit our Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/DNPLServicesWe deliver stories. We also give you guides, tip...

[newspatron]

Mpox India Alert: 5 Essential Facts to Know 🚨

Have questions or concerns about Mpox? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let's keep the conversation going. 👇

Alright, folks, gather ’round! We’re about to embark on a journey into the world of Mpox – a virus that’s been causing quite a ruckus lately. 🦠 Think of it as the party crasher no one invited, but it’s here, and we need to deal with it. India’s on high alert, and we’re here to give you the lowdown on everything you need to know. Mpox India Alert – We’ll be dissecting Mpox, from its pesky…

[halfmoon-horse]

WHO is declaring an mpox (monkey pox) emergency due to another outbreak across several countries, and now that enough time pass passed since the (peak of) COVID pandemic my inner epidemiologist is like 👀

[covid-safer-hotties]

MPXV and SARS-CoV-2 in the air of nightclubs in Spain - Published March 24, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the relevance of airborne transmission of respiratory viruses.1 The risk of airborne SARS-CoV-2 exposure in public indoor spaces, in addition to hospitals, has been debated but experimental evidence is scarce.2 The mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak, a WHO Public Health Emergency of International Concern, primarily affects men who have sex with men (MSM). Monkeypox virus (MPXV) transmits by contact with skin lesions, fomites, and respiratory secretions,3 but detection of MPXV DNA in hospital air samples opens the possibility of alternative transmission routes.

We monitored SARS-CoV-2 and MPXV genomes in the air in six bar areas and one dark room (sex room) in Madrid nightclubs frequently visited by MSM during four weekend days in 2022 (July 8, July 16, Aug 8, and Nov 5). To sample aerosols, air samples were collected in nanofibre filters3 located behind the club bar or in a central location of the dark room away from customers (>2 m distance), and viral genomes were detected by quantitative PCR.

All air samples from July were positive for SARS-CoV-2, with 12 (86%) of 14 samples containing more than 50 genomes per m3, and three samples even reaching more than 1000 genomes per m3. These findings were consistent with epidemiological data that showed a high prevalence of COVID-19 among people older than 60 years in Spain at the time. All except one of the air samples from August and November were negative for SARS-CoV-2. On July 8, which coincided with the gay pride parade in Madrid, MPXV DNA was undetectable in the air, with the exception of one sample, and on July 16, it was detected in two samples. MPXV in the air had increased considerably on Aug 8, with four (57%) of seven positive samples containing more than 100 genomes per m3, or even more than 1000 genomes per m3 in one case; this date coincided with the peak incidence of mpox in Spain. High viral loads in the air were detected in the dark room but also in bar areas, sometimes even at higher concentrations. MPXV was undetectable in November. Carbon dioxide concentrations were very high in all nightclubs, indicating poor ventilation and a high risk of airborne transmission.

To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of airborne SARS-CoV-2 and MPXV in nightclubs. Aerial virus monitoring corresponded with epidemiological incidence, indicating that it is a reliable tool to evaluate environmental risks of infection. MPXV was previously detected in the air of health centre consulting rooms,4 and we showed high virus levels in the air of indoor public spaces, presumably exhaled from people who were infected with MPXV. This finding suggests that MPXV exposure occurs beyond skin or sexual contact, and future studies to address airborne monkeypox virus transmission are warranted. If COVID-19 or mpox cases rise in the future, people attending mass events or indoor public entertainment venues should be made aware of the risk of airborne exposure to these viruses.

[humanrightsupdates]

A Rights-Based Global Response to Mpox Emergency in Africa

Global Solidarity Needed to Ensure Equitable Access to Treatments, Prevent Further Spread

On August 14, following the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (Africa CDC) declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of continental security, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as a public health emergency of international concern.

Mpox, a highly contagious disease transmitted primarily through close contact with infected individuals, has seen a significant rise in cases this year, with more than 17,000 reported cases and more than 500 deaths, predominantly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Symptoms include a blistering rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and muscle aches. Experts told Human Rights Watch the current variant of the virus seems to differ from previous outbreaks, with increased transmission occurring heterosexually and spreading to children through close interactions within families.

The Africa CDC has emphasized the need for global solidarity in combating this outbreak. Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Africa CDC’s director-general, has called on the international community to avoid punitive measures such as travel bans against African countries. There is a critical need for support, particularly access to vaccines, from countries with substantial stockpiles that are not experiencing any active outbreaks. “Don’t punish Africa,” Kaseya urged, pointing to the unfair treatment the continent endured during the Covid-19 pandemic and stressing the importance of a fair and equitable global response.

Global health experts have warned that the African continent is “always last in line for access to lifesaving tools.” The continent’s delayed access to HIV/AIDS treatments, Ebola response resources, Covid-19 vaccines, and now mpox interventions, underscores the persistent inequities in global health access. The response to the 2022 mpox outbreak, which primarily affected men who have sex with men, highlighted the risks of stigmatizing gay men. Human Rights Watch has previously warned that some actors exploit public health crises to marginalize vulnerable groups and stressed the need to place human rights at the center of any response.

[gumjrop]

The Weather

The CDC has finally released their own wastewater dashboard with state-level and regional trends. After public pressure to expand wastewater surveillance in September, including from all of us, it’s great to see some progress. The CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) landing page now includes dashboards to check national wastewater viral activity for COVID and Mpox. Additional dashboards for National and Regional trends, State and Territory trends, a wastewater viral activity map, and variants in wastewater are available.

As of 11/25/23, the Current Wastewater Viral Activity Map shows viral activity by state. Many states are reporting high to moderate COVID levels with very few reporting low levels. Approximately 350 sites delayed testing since September 15, 2023. After these sites have resumed testing for six weeks, their data will be added to the dataset. However, we’d suggest the CDC reconsider its color choices, as the calming blue shades they’ve chosen for “high” COVID transmission are misleading at best. They can refer to our red-shaded transmission map for reference.

Also updated 11/25/23, the national wastewater viral activity level is high and seems to be trending upward. The West is in decline while the Midwest, South, Northeast and National levels are at an incline. As with Biobot data, the most recent two weeks (indicated by gray shading on the graph) are subject to change due to reporting delays. Trends mentioned in this text are based on the areas before the shaded area shown in the graph. As we enter the cold and flu season, many in-person gatherings are held. We encourage you to continue monitoring local reports for a more accurate measure of levels. Also, please continue to, and support others in using, layers of protection. And as we continue to report on advocacy successes, remember that our actions and voices can enact change!

Hospitalizations

Weekly hospitalizations are trending upward in the last three weeks according to the CDC’s COVID data tracker, with over 19,000 weekly admissions reported 11/25/23. Since we last reported deaths on 10/28/23, there have been an additional 3731 deaths reported, for an average of almost 750 deaths per week. Remember that these numbers are an undercount related to reporting delays in place since the Biden Administration ended the Public Health Emergency. Remember also that COVID deaths follow hospitalization numbers, so we expect these numbers to increase in the weeks to come.

COVID remains the third leading cause of death according to the CDC in the US. We mourn all those who have died due to COVID, and in that mourning, call you to take measures to prevent death and disablement for yourself, your loved ones, and your communities. 

Wins

Early this month, school districts across the United States will be able to order free Covid-19 rapid tests from the national stockpile to be distributed to schools with the HHS encouragement to share them with, “students, staff, family members and others in the community.” While this school project of the Biden Administration feels long overdue, we hope new access to free tests aids in preventing the spread of Covid-19, if used correctly.  If your household has not placed a new order for more rapid tests from the federal government through covidtests.gov, you can still place an order for 4 free rapid covid tests here. The Horward Zinn Book Fair this weekend is requiring masks indoors, and outdoors, within 15 feet outdoors of the venue.  Increasingly progressive groups in this country are connecting the dots between our governments’ attempts to erase the ongoing pandemic in an effort to restore business as usual and the necessity of centering public health and disability justice in our social movements. Send them a note of thanks here. 

Take Action

We urge you to take a moment to read and sign on to this letter, authored by public health and medical professionals, demanding CDC Director Mandy Cohen reject HICPAC’s (Healthcare Infection Control Practice Advisory Committee) Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings. Current draft guidelines are incredibly insufficient, inappropriate, and fail to protect both patients and healthcare workers.  Letter can be found HERE. You also still have time to sign on to the National Nurses United letter urging the CDC “to reject HICPAC’s weak draft and create a new one that protects health care workers and their patients!” Sign-on deadline for both letters is this Friday, December 8, 2023.

[draconicsorceress]

Tried to leave Twitter

Dissatisfied with lack of information about COVID elsewhere

Return to Twitter just in time to find out that not only is the WHO preparing for person-to-person transmission of H5N1, but there's a new, deadlier variant of MPOX coming out of Africa because they weren't sent vaccines to help control the spread

I guess I have to stay on Twitter if I want to know what's going on in public health. I hate it here.

[thoughtlessarse]

Languages: Français | Deutsch

On Monday (12 August), the World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report revealing a significant surge of mpox cases worldwide. The report documents 99,176 laboratory-confirmed cases and 208 deaths across 116 countries and territories from January 2022 to June 2024. In June 2024 alone (latest complete monthly disease surveillance data available), 934 new cases and four deaths were reported from 26 countries, underscoring the virus’ persistent global spread. The WHO’s risk assessment highlights a high risk of mpox transmission in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring areas, where the virus predominantly affects adults and spreads mainly through sexual contact. Mpox virus variants are classified into clades, groups of strains with shared genetic characteristics. Clade I, formerly the Congo Basin or Central African clade, and Clade II, previously the West African clade, are the primary classifications, with both clades further divided into subclades Ia, Ib, IIa and IIb. High risk was noted in other regions of the DRC, where the clade Ia variant is endemic, primarily infecting children. In the wider region, in Nigeria and other parts of West, Central, and East Africa, there is a moderate risk for both children and adults from clades I and II. Globally, a moderate risk persists around clade IIb, outbreaks of which mainly affect men who have sex with men. Four European countries — Spain (8,084 cases), France (4,272), the United Kingdom (3,952), and Germany (3,857) — rank among the ten nations with the highest cumulative case numbers from January 2022 to June 2024. 

continue reading

The problem is that Europeans can access vaccines Africans cannot. Europeans should be sending vaccines to Africa and in so doing they'd protect Africa and Europe.

[qnewsau]

'Get vaccinated': Fresh plea as mpox cases surge

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/get-vaccinated-fresh-plea-as-mpox-cases-surge/

'Get vaccinated': Fresh plea as mpox cases surge

LGBTQIA+ health orgs are urging Aussies at high risk of mpox to get vaccinated to protect themselves as cases surge across Australia.

Cases of mpox, formerly monkeypox, have increased from a handful to hundreds in just a few months.

In 2024, 724 cases of mpox have been reported across Australia. Between July and September 26, 616 new cases of mpox were reported. There were 270 in September alone. That’s up from only six in the first three months of this year.

The vast majority of mpox cases are in NSW and Victoria and have impacted men who have sex with men, however, anyone can get mpox. Two women have also been diagnosed in 2024, the Department of Health reported.

Symptoms of mpox are more severe if you’re unvaccinated

Experts are urging gay, bi and men who have sex with men and others, including those living with HIV, to get vaccinated against mpox to protect themselves.

Mpox is predominantly transmitted through prolonged physical or intimate contact with someone with the virus.

Common symptoms are painful rash, lesions or sores, fever, chills, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and sore throat.

Most patients recover from mpox on their own, but some can become seriously ill. QNews has spoken to Aussies who’ve warned of extremely painful symptoms.

Last week, ACON said that almost half of the new mpox cases in NSW are among people who’re unvaccinated.

“This is a significant problem, as highly uncomfortable symptoms such as lesions can occur more much significantly among those who have not been vaccinated,” ACON said.

“Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.”

The JYNNEOS vaccine against mpox does not entirely prevent transmission but does reduce the severity of symptoms.

Right now, there’s plenty of vaccine available across Australia. The mpox vaccine is free and no Medicare card is required.

For optimal protection, two doses are necessary, spaced at least 28 days apart.

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For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[beardedmrbean]

Aug. 16 (UPI) -- The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control Friday released a risk assessment and updated guidance for mpox in Europe after one case of MPXV clade Ib was reported Thursday.

The ECDC said more cases are likely to occur in Europe but the likelihood of EU/EEA general population infection is very low.

EU/EEA is the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway who are part of the EU market area.

"The likelihood of infection in the general population in the EU/EEA is assessed as very low, provided that imported cases are diagnosed promptly and control measures are implemented," the ECDC said in a statement. "In the event of more sporadic importations of the MPXV clade I in the EU/EEA, the likelihood of infection for close contacts of possible or confirmed imported cases is assessed high."

The ECDC said for Europeans traveling to or living in nations most affected by mpox in Africa, the chances of infection when in close contact with affected communities is high, but the risk is low when such contact is avoided.

The ECDC statement said the risk is high for "EU/EEA citizens traveling to the affected countries and having close contact (healthcare workers, household or other close contact and/or multiple sexual contacts) with affected communities or living in the affected countries."

Guidance published by the ECDC Friday said working to detect cases and prevent secondary transmission is vital.

Recommendations to public health authorities included following ECDC guidelines for case detection and investigation; implementing effective surveillance; rapidly isolating any suspected cases until proven negative and, if positive, until symptom resolution; and doing contact tracing and testing of close contacts of confirmed cases following the ECDC testing protocols.

No special recommendations were made for the general public.

The first case of the newer and more dangerous mpox strain Clade I was detected in Sweden, the first time it's been discovered outside of continental Africa.

The Swedish patient was infected by mpox Clade I during a stay in Africa. That strain is linked to a higher risk of more severe effects and higher mortality.

The World Health Organization Wednesday declared mpox a global public health emergency.

In a statement the WHO said, "WHO is committed in the days and weeks ahead to coordinate the global response, working closely with each of the affected countries, and leveraging our on-the-ground presence, to prevent transmission, treat those infected, and save lives."

[ceevee5]

What’s that coming over the hill, is it the mpox? Is it the mpox? 14000 cases so far, 3.75% fatality rate … “Transmission of the so-called clade 1b virus in the DRC last year which was caused “mainly through sexual networks.” This clade is reportedly deadlier and more easily transmitted from person to person … Tedros said in the past month that around 90 cases of successor clade 1b were reported in countries neighbouring the DRC which had not reported mpox cases before.”

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive

By Tulio de Oliveira

Dr. Oliveira is the director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation in South Africa.

As a virus scientist in South Africa, I’ve been watching with dread as H5N1 bird flu spreads among animals in the United States. The pathogen poses a serious pandemic threat and has been detected in over 500 dairy herds in 15 states — which is probably an undercount. And yet, the U.S. response appears inadequate and slow, with too few genomic sequences of H5N1 cases in farm animals made publicly available for scientific review.

Failure to control H5N1 among American livestock could have global consequences, and this demands urgent attention. The United States has done little to reassure the world that it has the outbreak contained.

The recent infection of a pig at a farm in Oregon is especially concerning as pigs are known to be “mixing bowls” for influenza viruses. Pigs can be infected by both avian and human influenza viruses, creating a risk for the viruses to exchange genetic material and potentially speed up adaptation for human transmission. The H1N1 pandemic in 2009 was created and spread initially by pigs. Beyond the risks to its own citizens (there are over 45 cases of people in the United States getting the virus in 2024), the United States should remember that the country where a pandemic emerges can be accused of not doing enough to control it. We still hear how China did not do enough to stop the Covid-19 pandemic. None of us would want a new pandemic labeled the “American virus,” as this could be very damaging for the United States’ reputation and economy.

The United States should learn from how the global south responds to infectious diseases. Those of us working in the region have a good track record of responding to epidemics and emerging pandemics, and can help the United States identify new virus strains and offer insights into how to control H5N1. This knowledge has not come easily or without suffering; it has developed from decades of dealing with deadly diseases. We’ve learned one simple lesson: You need to learn your enemy as quickly as possible in order to fight it.

We did this during Covid. In November 2021, my colleagues and I, and others in Botswana, discovered the Omicron variant. We quickly and publicly warned the world that it could rapidly spread. This kind of transparency is not always easy because it can come at large economic cost. For example, after we shared our Omicron discovery, countries around the world imposed travel bans on South Africa ahead of December holidays, spurring backlash. Our team received death threats, and we needed security for our labs. One estimate suggests South Africa lost $63 million in canceled bookings from December to March.

But it was the right thing to do. That’s why it’s so frustrating that genomic sequences of H5N1 animal cases in the United States are not quickly made available. Sharing genomes of virus samples immediately is crucial for understanding the threat and giving the world time to prepare, including developing antivirals and vaccines. Rwanda, for example, was recently bold enough to go public with the detection of the deadly Marburg virus. Health responders there worked around the clock, and within about a month, they seem to have controlled the outbreak. Other countries in Africa have similarly and openly shared data about the spread of Mpox.

I’ve worked for decades with American scientists, and this summer I toured many of the country’s top scientific research institutions and was a speaker at one of its largest annual virology meetings. I know how flabbergasted many American scientists are about the country’s slow response to the H5N1. One highly respected American virologist, David O’Connor, told me that “it seems that the United States is addicted to gambling with H5N1. But if you gamble long enough, the virus may hit a jackpot.” A jackpot for the virus would fuel a global pandemic.

It is time to respond forcefully to this threat. The world’s scientists are here to help, in the same way as the United States has helped us so many times. Countries need to continue to support one another; we need an international scientific and medical force that can work together to respond to new epidemics and potential pandemics, including diagnosing and genetically analyzing every single sample of H5N1.

I understand that it’s not easy to persuade businesses, such as the meat and dairy industries, to allow the testing of all of their animals and staffs, and to make that data public quickly. But I also know that in the end, doing so protects lives, lessens economic damage and creates a safer world.

The world cannot afford to gamble with this virus, letting it spread in animals and hoping it never sparks a serious outbreak — or crossing our fingers that its effects won’t be serious in people. Time will tell. I hope we are not watching the start of a new pandemic unfold, with both the American and the international communities burying our heads in the sand rather than confronting potential danger.

[autisticadvocacy]

Missed our webinar, “COVID-19 and Mpox: Reducing the spread of transmissible diseases in our communities”? Check out the recording!

[sataniccapitalist]

A dangerous strain of mpox that is killing children and causing miscarriages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most transmissible yet and could spread internationally, scientists have warned.

The virus appears to be spreading from person to person via both sexual and non-sexual contact, in places ranging from brothels to schools.

Hundreds of people with the disease, formerly known as monkeypox, have attended hospital in the mining town of Kamituga, South Kivu province, in what is likely to be the “tip of the iceberg” of a larger outbreak, doctors say.