“The new variant of monkeypox is new, for example, in that it spreads where it has not spread before. Basically, there is a western and eastern variant of the monkeypox virus depending on whether it was more prevalent in the western or eastern part of Africa. Otherwise, the difference between the variants is somehow not fundamental.” said the vaccinologist.
According to him, individual versions of the infection can be distinguished by whole-genome sequencing of the virus, not by symptoms of the disease. “In terms of the patient, the clinic and the problem, the picture is still the same,” added Chlíbek.
The disease manifests itself in particular rash with blisters, patients also suffer from fevers, or feel general exhaustion. According to Chlíbek, antiviral drugs are used for treatment in both cases, and at-risk groups of people can be vaccinated.
Given the rapid increase in the number of infected in Africa the vaccinologist recommends vaccination especially for people who are going to countries with a higher incidence of infection. According to him, they should also be cautious when in contact with a sick person and with monkeys and other wild animals that can spread the disease. “And the increased risk is for sex workers, especially for men who have sex with men. They should be on the lookout if their partner has a rash or other problems. If he has, he should not have sexual intercourse or close contact with him,” pointed out Chlíbek.
According to the currently valid Czech recommendations, people who have sex with multiple partners and take medication to prevent HIV infection, or people living in an HIV-positive household should also be vaccinated. According to WHO data, in previous waves of infection, over 90 percent of those infected were men having sex with men. For the general population, the risk is assessed as low. According to Thursday’s information from the Ministry of Health, there are enough vaccines against mpox in the Czech Republic.
The highest level of warning
According to experts, the disease originally spread between people mainly through sexual transmission, with the new variant, according to them, only close physical contact with an infected person is enough to become infected.
The WHO declared the highest level of warning on Wednesday due to a new mpox variant in Africa and a day earlier, the African Union declared the highest level of threat to public health in the entire continent. In Africa, the infection has so far been reported in 15 countries, the Congo being the most affected. Outside of Africa, one case of infection with a new mpox variant was confirmed in Sweden, according to the authorities there, the patient had previously lived in an affected area in Africa.
