The recent development of a new strain of Mpox signals the need for heightened vigilance in Canada, especially for affected populations.
Mpox was first declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) in July of 2022. Earlier this month, the spread of a new strain of Mpox from Africa to countries in Europe and Asia led the WHO to declare another global public health emergency.
As of mid-2024, over 120 countries have reported cases of Mpox, with over 100,000 laboratory confirmed cases reported. Of those cases, 220 deaths ensued. The susceptible populations for Mpox includes healthcare workers, children, and individuals who are sexually active.
Characterized by a painful rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, and fatigue, Mpox mainly spreads through close with an infected person, including skin-to-skin and face-to-face interactions. Sexual is an example of direct and intimate , says the Public Health Agency of Canada.
“I think students, particularly university students, are at the age where they may be exposed to sexual encounters, which is perfectly normal,” said Dr. Santiago Perez Patrigeon, an infectious disease physician at Queen’s Department of Medicine.
According to the WHO, Mpox is a part of the same family as the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes viruses like variola, also known as smallpox, cowpox, and vaccinia. Scientists have grouped Mpox into two main clades, or families, which are groups of organisms representing a single evolutionary descent. There is clade I with subclades Ia and Ib, and clade II with subclades IIa and IIb.
An article published by the CDC this July stated the first global public health emergency two years ago was due to the widespread transmission of clade IIb. Although cases of clade IIb still exist, recent outbreaks have been of clade Ia and Ib. As of this past month, clade Ib has been detected beyond Africa, causing another global public health emergency. In the recent outbreak of clade Ib, children have been found to be most affected.
Clade IIb was a concern due to its rapid rate of transmission in 2022. The CDC stated clade Ib is more dangerous, killing 10 per cent of the people infected, whereas those infected with clade IIb have a 99.9 per cent survival rate.
“They just have to be aware that [Mpox] is going around and [those who are sexually active are] a certain population that may be at higher risk,” Dr. Perez Patrigeon said in an interview with The Journal. “Knowledge is power, and I think knowing about this disease is very important.”
According to the CDC, immunocompromised individuals, such as people with advanced HIV or AIDS, are also at risk. Immunocompromised individuals have an increased risk of severe Mpox or death once exposed.
As the virus continues to spread globally, the Canadian government stated the risk to people in Canada from monekypox remains low. However, there are precautions the government can take to keep the affected population safe.
“I feel that at this moment, informing the population and having a vaccine available are two components that are really important,” Dr. Perez Patrigeon expressed.
The WHO also emphasized the importance of preventative measures, including minimizing sexual partners, using protection if engaging in sexual relations, and getting vaccinated.
It’s recommended if you or your partner have Mpox or think you have it, the best protection is avoiding sex of any kind, as wearing a condom won’t fully protect someone from contracting the disease.
“Young people engaging in unprotected sex with several partners would be someone that may be at [higher] risk of getting an STI and which would include Mpox. So, if you identify as being at a higher risk, then you can ask for the vaccine,” Dr. Perez Patrigeon said.
The CDC recommends the JYNNEOS vaccine, known as IMVAMUNE in Canada, for the prevention of Mpox, with getting both doses, four weeks apart, for the best form of protection. Research says this particular vaccine is 86 per cent effective. Other simple strategies include implementing lifestyle changes, such as reducing skin-to-skin with other, to decrease the risk of infection.
“A rave, party, or club where there is minimal clothing and where there is direct, personal, often skin-to-skin has some risk. Avoid any rash you see on others and consider minimizing skin-to-skin ,” the CDC stated.
Practicing good hand hygiene, using personal protective equipment when necessary, and staying informed about outbreak areas are further preventative methods amid the global health emergency.
Corrections
A previous version of this story incorrectly reported Dr. Santiago Perez Patrigeon’s name as Dr. Patrigeon.
A previous version of this story incorrectly referenced Mpox as “monkeypox.”
The Journal regrets the error
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