Check out HJN’s Mpox One Health Toolkit for Journalists for more information and ideas on how to tell the Mpox story.

For those who came in late, this 5-minute explainer led by Dr. Vismita Gupta Smith from WHO’s Department of Communications and Dr. Abdou Salam Gueye from WHO Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo explains why the current outbreak qualifies as a PHEIC.

Watch the Explainer:

• Always mention the date on which you referenced the dashboard when quoting data from it.
• Let audiences know that the figures may change during continuous verification due to variations in case detection, definitions, laboratory testing, and reporting strategies between countries, states, and territories.
• Different data may be quoted by the WHO, national public health authorities, and other researchers, depending on their inclusion criteria and data cut-off times.

The World Health Organization’s Mpox Fact Sheets provide comprehensive information about the disease. This includes details on symptoms, transmission methods, prevention strategies, and treatment options. The fact sheets are a valuable resource for staying informed about the latest developments and guidelines related to Mpox.

Access the WHO’s latest Mpox Fact Sheets here: Mpox Fact Sheets

A clade is simply a group of organisms, such as viruses, descended from a common ancestor. This is how a clade is formed: when a virus is first discovered, scientists map its genome. As the virus multiplies and spreads across hosts over time, it ‘mutates’—that is, it modifies its genes slightly—but retains most of the parent genome. A number of slightly different versions of the parent can arise. Scientists group these newer versions descended from the same parent virus under a ‘clade’ and usually alphabetize the newer varieties to tell them apart.

The mpox virus was first detected in Central Africa and so came to be known as clade I, and another independent, distinct mpox virus was later identified in West Africa and was named clade II. Each of these clades has two varieties or sub-clades. The genetic changes in these sub-clades have altered the virulence of the virus and the way it spreads. That’s why it’s important for journalists to educate audiences about which clade is affecting them, and how to protect themselves.

Clade Ia has been spreading in Central Africa since the virus was first discovered to infect humans in 1970. Most infections have been in children, and it was earlier known to mainly transmit from animal to human. Now genomic analysis shows that it is clade Ia which is spreading from person to person in the 2024 outbreak in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Clade Ib has caused a surge of cases in Central Africa since its discovery in late 2023. Clade Ib is known to spread from person to person, including through sexual contact.

Clade IIa is the least-studied mpox variety. It has mainly spread in Guinea, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire. The modes of transmission of clade IIa are not fully understood. While there is no documented evidence of sexual transmission, it is likely that all forms of close contact contribute to its spread.

Clade IIb is responsible for the still-simmering 2022 global outbreak. Clade IIb is known to spread from person to person, including through sexual contact. The most affected population has been men who have sex with men.

• Adapted from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03531-x

We bring you a dynamic selection of the latest news articles showcasing how journalists around the world are reporting on the current Mpox emergency.

31 October 2024 – Africa CDC Special Briefing on Mpox & Other Health Emergencies in Africa

Get the latest updates on Mpox and other health emergencies in Africa from the Africa CDC special briefing held on 31 October 2024.

Webinar on September 11, 2024

Topic: As Mpox unfolds, what are the specific needs of various affected communities, and how can those be addressed?

Speakers:

• Dr. Maria D. Van Kerkhove, Director (a.i), Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO
• Dr. Kai Von Harbou, Unit Head, Community Readiness and Resilience Unit, Country Readiness Strengthening Department, WHO
• Dr. Viema Biaukula, Technical Officer, Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment, WHO WPRO
• Dr. Omar Sued, Advisor, HIV/STI Elimination, Care and Treatment, PAHO
• Dr. Ruben Mayorga, Senior Advisor, Civil Society Engagement for the Elimination of Communicable Diseases, PAHO

Presenter:

• Dr. Supriya Bezbaruah, EPI-WIN Lead in WHO

Watch the Recording:

Internews Mpox Cross-Border Media Science Café (August 2024)

Learn more about the spread of Mpox through this Cross-Border Science Media Café on the spread of Mpox held in August 2024.

Below are previews of the latest research articles on Mpox from The Lancet:

For more articles, visit The Lancet Mpox Collection.