Mpox scientist makes chilling 'new global outbreak' prediction after 'concerning development'

A leading scientist has warned that a "new global outbreak" of monkeypox is imminent.

The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern that monkeypox, also known as mpox, could spread across international borders following its discovery in Sweden today. According to WHO, there have been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in Africa this year, surpassing previous year's total.

The new strain, clade 1, is proliferating, which concerns medical specialists. Dr Brian Ferguson, Associate Professor of Immunology at the University of Cambridge, stated, "The discovery of a case of mpox disease caused by clade 1 mpox virus in Sweden is definitely a troubling development. Given the intensity and scope of the outbreak in Africa, it is unsurprising that this case has migrated to Europe via international travel.

So date, more than 96% of all cases and deaths have occurred in a single country: the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa. However, the number of instances has increased significantly. Last Monday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that mpox has been found in at least 13 African countries. According to the organization, cases are up 160% over the same period last year, while deaths are up 19%.

Dr Ferguson continued, "The timing of this case comes less than 24 hours after the WHO's PHEIC declaration and only 15 months after the WHO ended the previous mpox PHEIC in May 2023." The lack of activity in the intervening years may have resulted in a new global outbreak. There should have been a stronger effort to make and distribute vaccines in the afflicted areas, but this did not occur. It is conceivable to solve these challenges, but it will require immediate international cooperation."

Sweden's public health office reported the first occurrence of the novel mpox variety in someone who had recently visited Africa and sought medical attention in Stockholm. Officials stated that the risk to the general public was "very low" and that sporadic imported instances will remain.