Australia faces alarming resurgence of Mpox clade 2b cases, 179 cases in August alone and 12 new cases in the last 48 hours

Medical News: Australia, once a model for containing the Mpox (Monkeypox) outbreak, is now grappling with an unexpected and rapid resurgence of the virus. The country reported 179 new Mpox Clade 2b cases in August 2024 alone, surpassing the combined total of the previous two years. This alarming spike has sent shockwaves through public health circles, raising concerns about the possibility of a more severe global outbreak. In the first three days of September 2024, another 12 cases of Mpox have also been identified across Australia.


Australia faces alarming resurgence of Mpox clade 2b cases, 179 cases in
August alone and 12 new cases in the last 48 hours!

The 2022 Success Story: A Fading Memory
In 2022, Australia was lauded for its swift and effective response to the Mpox outbreak. Through a combination of free vaccinations for at-risk groups, aggressive public health campaigns, and heightened awareness, the country managed to virtually eliminate the virus within six months. The success was so profound that from late 2022 through early 2023, Australia went months without reporting a single case. Even during the WorldPride festival in March 2023, which brought over 20,000 international visitors to Sydney, the country recorded only 26 cases that year.
 
However, the success story of 2022 now feels like a distant memory as Australia faces a new and more formidable challenge. A different strain of the Mpox-causing monkeypox virus has emerged, threatening to trigger a more severe global outbreak, with Australia at the forefront. There are at the moment many new lineages of the Clade 1 and Clade 2 strains emerging.
https://gisaid.org/mpox-variants-dashboard/
 
August 2024: A Month of Concern
The dramatic rise in cases in August 2024 has raised red flags. With 179 new cases reported in just one month, Australia’s Mpox numbers have now reached nearly 400 for the year. Adding to the urgency, another 12 cases were reported in the last 48 hours alone.
https://nindss.health.gov.au/pbi-dashboard/
(under disease name click down to Monkeypox infections)

The surge has primarily been attributed to the Clade 2b strain of the virus, a variant that, while less severe than the potentially more dangerous Clade 1b strain, still poses a significant public health risk.
 
The Clade 2b variant is currently the predominant strain in Australia, and although no cases of the more severe Clade 1b have been reported, the rapid spread of the 2b variant serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance and vaccination efforts.
 
The Importance of Vaccination: A Public Health Priority
Australia’s current situation underscores the critical importance of maintaining high vaccine coverage, even as new strains of the virus emerge. Despite the success of the smallpox vaccine in curbing the initial outbreak, the current vaccines may not offer complete protection against all st rains of the Mpox virus. This has led public health experts to call for renewed efforts to vaccinate at-risk populations, particularly gay and bisexual men, who have been disproportionately affected by the virus.
 
Andrew Grulich, head of HIV epidemiology and prevention at the University of New South Wales’s Kirby Institute in Sydney told mainstream media and Medical News journalists, “In Australia, there’s no doubt that the short-term response has to be much more vaccination in gay and bisexual men. We need gay men to hear that it’s back, it’s effectively here to stay and, therefore, the way forward is to get vaccinated.”
 
Community surveys conducted in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia’s most populous states, reveal that only half of gay and bisexual men have been vaccinated against Mpox. This leaves a significant portion of the population vulnerable to infection, particularly in areas like Sydney, where two-thirds of the recent cases have been reported.
 
The Role of Vaccines in Containing the Outbreak
The swift rollout of smallpox vaccines in 2022 played a crucial role in controlling the initial Mpox outbreak. These vaccines, which are effective against the closely related monkeypox virus, were instrumental in preventing a wider spread of the disease. In fact, UK Health Security Agency scientists recently estimated that two doses of Bavarian Nordic A/S’s smallpox vaccine were 82 percent effective in protecting against Mpox.
 
While about half of the Mpox cases in England last year occurred in vaccinated patients, none of them required hospitalization. This suggests that the vaccine may offer significant protection against severe disease, even if it doesn’t completely prevent infection. In vaccinated individuals, Mpox tends to cause a much milder illness, with fewer or less severe symptoms such as fever, body aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
 
However, the challenge remains in ensuring that individuals receive both doses of the vaccine. According to Clare Looker, Victoria’s chief health officer, the majority of cases in the current outbreak have occurred in unvaccinated individuals or those who have only received one dose. “Two doses of vaccine are required for optimal protection,” Looker emphasized, highlighting the need for a complete vaccination regimen to effectively curb the spread of the virus.
 
The Challenge of Early Detection and Prevention
While vaccination is a critical component of the public health response, early detection and prevention are equally important in controlling the spread of Mpox. The virus, which causes excruciatingly painful lesions, can be transmitted through physical contact, making it essential for individuals to seek medical attention if they suspect they have been infected.
 
“In some cases, patients may have only one or two lesions, which may be mistaken for other conditions like syphilis or genital herpes,” explained Christopher Fairley, director of the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre and a professor of public health at Monash University. “However, people with unhealed sores risk transmitting the infection through physical contact, making early case identification critical for stemming further spread.”
 
Fairley’s advice to the public is clear: “If you get a spot, come and show it to us.” Early diagnosis and treatment not only reduce the risk of transmission but also help prevent the virus from taking hold in the community.
 
A Cautionary Tale for the World
Australia’s experience with the sudden resurgence of Mpox serves as a cautionary tale for the rest of the world. The rapid spread of the Clade 2b variant, coupled with the potential emergence of more dangerous strains, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance, vaccination, and public awareness.
 
As the global community braces for the possibility of a more severe Mpox outbreak, Australia’s response will be closely watched. The country’s ability to contain this new wave of infections will not only protect its own population but also provide valuable lessons for other nations facing similar challenges.

In the meantime, the message from health experts is clear: vaccination, early detection, and public awareness are key to preventing a more widespread outbreak. The world must act swiftly and decisively to stay ahead of this evolving public health threat.
 
For the latest Mpox News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/fourth-case-of-mpox-clade-2b-infection-detected-in-pakistan