How the World Sleepwalked Into the Global Mpox Emergency: A Story of Missed Opportunities and Urgent Action

The world is once again facing a global health crisis, this time with mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) at its center. While the virus has been known for decades, its recent emergence as a global emergency has left many wondering: how did we get here?

The answer, sadly, isn’t a simple one. It’s a story of missed opportunities, inadequate preparedness, and a slow response that has allowed the virus to spread and take hold.

The Early Warning Signs

Mpox, a viral disease endemic in parts of Central and West Africa, was first detected in 1958. It’s typically spread through contact with infected animals, but human-to-human transmission is possible, albeit less common.

The first warning sign of its potential global threat came in 2003, when a significant outbreak occurred in the United States, linked to imported Gambian giant rats.

However, the 2003 outbreak wasn’t widely recognized as a harbinger of what was to come. Public health resources shifted to other priorities, and a global response strategy for mpox never materialized.

The Rise of a Global Threat

Fast forward to 2022. In May, a series of mpox cases began to emerge in Europe, seemingly unrelated to travel to endemic regions. This sparked immediate concerns, particularly due to the virus’s ability to spread through close contact, including sexual contact.

The number of cases surged rapidly, exceeding 80,000 worldwide by December 2022. This surge, fueled by global travel and social events, prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in July 2022.

Missed Opportunities & The Slow Response

The slow and inadequate response to the mpox outbreak can be attributed to a confluence of factors, including:

• Limited Public Health Resources: The global health system, already grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, lacked the necessary resources to effectively monitor, track, and respond to the emerging mpox threat.

• Inadequate Global Coordination: Collaboration and information sharing between countries were patchy, hindering early detection, contact tracing, and vaccine distribution.

• Stigma and Misinformation: The spread of misinformation and stigmatization surrounding the disease hampered public health efforts, leading to reluctance to seek testing and treatment.

The Role of Misinformation and Stigma

The rise of misinformation and stigma around mpox was particularly concerning. Initial reports linked the virus primarily to men who have sex with men, contributing to discriminatory narratives and fueling fear.

This stigma deterred people from seeking testing and treatment, hindering efforts to contain the outbreak. The WHO actively encouraged responsible and respectful communication about the disease, urging people to recognize that anyone can be infected and affected by mpox.

Lessons Learned and Urgent Action

The global mpox emergency has highlighted the need for crucial changes in our approach to emerging infectious diseases:

• Strengthening Global Surveillance Systems: Real-time monitoring and data sharing are essential for early detection and response to future outbreaks.

• Building a Robust Public Health Infrastructure: Investing in robust public health systems with adequate resources and personnel is critical for effective disease management.

• Addressing Misinformation and Stigma: Combating misinformation and promoting accurate information about diseases is crucial for minimizing fear and stigma, encouraging people to seek help.

The Future of Mpox

While the current outbreak has slowed, the threat of mpox remains. New cases continue to emerge, and the virus’s potential to mutate and become more transmissible cannot be disregarded.

Moving forward, we must prioritize:

• Investing in mpox vaccines and treatments: Access to effective vaccines and treatments is essential for controlling the spread of the disease and preventing future outbreaks.

• Raising awareness and promoting public health education: Educating the public about mpox, its transmission, and prevention strategies is crucial for reducing the risk of infection.

• Strengthening global collaboration: Stronger partnerships and coordination between countries are critical for effective surveillance, information sharing, and resource allocation.

The global mpox emergency has been a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of our world and the importance of preparedness. We must learn from this experience and work together to build a more resilient global health system.

Keywords:

• Mpox

• Monkeypox

• Global Health Emergency

• Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

• WHO

• Misinformation

• Stigma

• Vaccine

• Treatment

• Global Surveillance

• Public Health Infrastructure

• Global Collaboration

• Outbreak

• Pandemic

• Infectious Diseases

• Health Crisis