The World Health Organization (WHO) has redeclared mpox a global public health emergency as cases escalate in Africa and rise in other countries, including Canada. This declaration follows a significant surge in cases since January 2024, prompting health officials to describe the outbreak as “unprecedented.”

In Canada, Toronto Public Health is urging eligible residents to get vaccinated against mpox after a sharp rise in cases. As of July 31, there have been 93 confirmed cases, compared to 21 cases during the same period in 2023.

Dr. Mark Loeb, an infectious disease physician at McMaster University, expressed concern about the virus’s potential to continue spreading, particularly in under-resourced countries. “There’s an explosion of cases in Central Africa… and it’s affecting very young children. The high rates of mortality with this strain make it crucial to get it under control.”

Dr. Rita Shahin, an associate medical officer with Toronto Public Health, explained that mpox causes symptoms such as a rash at the site of exposure, fever, headache, muscle aches, and feeling generally unwell. Most people recover within two to four weeks, but in a small number of cases, it can be more serious, leading to hospitalization.

Mpox is spread through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated personal items like clothing, bedding, sex toys, or toothbrushes. It is not considered strictly a sexually transmitted infection but can be spread through intimate contact.

The virus is characterized by two distinct genetic variants known as clades I and II, which are endemic to central and west Africa. Clade I is more transmissible and causes a higher rate of severe infections, while Clade II is considered less severe. The ongoing global mpox outbreak is caused by Clade II.

In Canada, the vaccine Imvamune is an authorized shot used for immunization against smallpox and mpox in adults 18 years of age and older who are at high risk for exposure. Vaccination involves two doses of the vaccine to provide the best protection, with the second dose being taken 28 days after the first one.

Dr. Shahin emphasized that individuals who were immunized in 2022 are still protected and do not need a booster dose. However, those who haven’t been vaccinated should get the vaccine, and individuals experiencing severe mpox symptoms can receive antiviral treatment.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the increasing spread of mpox across the continent a health emergency, warning the virus might ultimately spill across international borders. Africa has reported a staggering surge in mpox cases this year, with at least 14,000 infections and 524 deaths — a 160% increase compared to the same period last year.

The WHO said mpox was recently identified for the first time in four East African countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. All of those outbreaks were linked to the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the Ivory Coast and South Africa, health authorities have reported outbreaks of a different and less dangerous version of mpox that spread worldwide in 2022.

Earlier this year, scientists reported the emergence of a new form of mpox in a Congolese mining town that can kill up to 10% of people and may spread more easily. Unlike in previous mpox outbreaks, where lesions were mostly seen on the chest, hands, and feet, the new form of mpox causes milder symptoms and lesions on the genitals, making it harder to spot and potentially leading to further spread.