Spread of mpox ‘worrying,’ global health agency says. Should Kansas City be concerned?
Mpox, a contagious disease formerly known as monkeypox, has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization.
This disease is characterized by a painful rash that resembles pimples or blisters, which can appear on the hands, feet, chest, face and genitals. Other common symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches and congestion.
Mpox spreads through physical contact with infected people or objects they have recently touched. So far, the spread of the newest virus variant is largely taking place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other nearby countries in sub-Saharan Africa Case numbers are significantly higher than in past years. Over 500 people have died from the disease this year so far.
You may remember reports of mpox spreading in the U.S. in 2022, including a confirmed case in Kansas City. The newest strain hasn’t reached the U.S. yet — but it’s thought to be more contagious than the 2022 virus.
Here’s what to know about the latest outbreak.
How is this mpox outbreak different from the one in 2022?
There are two main “clades,” or variants, of the virus that causes mpox. Clade I is the more deadly variant, killing up to 10% of the people who contract it. The variant that is currently spreading in the DRC and elsewhere is specifically clade Ib. Public health officials note that it is more easily spread through sexual contact than the more mild clade II.
“The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are very worrying,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the WHO.
Clade II is the variant that caused the 2022 outbreak and infected people worldwide, including in Kansas City. This clade causes less severe infections and has a very high survival rate.
Can I get an mpox vaccine in Kansas City?
So far, no cases of the new strain of mpox have been reported in the United States. However, there are still ways to stay safe from the virus, especially if you expect to travel to the DRC or the surrounding area.
The Kansas City Health Department offers mpox vaccinations to eligible individuals. You can call the department at 816-513-6152 for more information.
Because the new variant is easily transmitted through sexual contact, WHO recommends vaccinations for sex workers and people with multiple sexual partners, as well as health care workers who could come in contact with the virus.
Why did officials change the name of mpox?
In 2022, the World Health Organization renamed the disease from “monkeypox” to “mpox” to better align with its disease naming guidelines.
While researchers suspect that primates like monkeys may be able to carry and transmit the disease, its original source in the animal kingdom is unknown, according to the CDC. The renaming also ensured the disease would avoid associations with any negative racial stereotypes.
Do you have more questions about communicable diseases in Kansas City or beyond? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
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