On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the most recent mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, outbreak in Africa is a global health emergency.

“This is something that should concern us all ... The potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.¹

Cases of this deadlier strain of mpox have been confirmed for the first time in four countries in Africa: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Levels of mpox have surpassed 14,000 reported cases and resulted in 524 deaths across Africa this year, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) accounting for 96% of these cases and fatalities.²

There are two divisions of mpox virus: Clade I and Clade II.

Clade I causes more severe illness and deaths. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa and some outbreaks have killed up to 10% of the people who get sick.

Clade II is the type that caused the global outbreak that began in 2022. Infections from Clade II are less severe. Clade II is endemic to West Africa and more than 99.9% of people survive.³

mpox-2
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

"Since January 2023, the DRC has reported the largest number of suspected Clade I mpox cases on record: more than 22,000, with over 1,200 deaths. The number of cases reported in the first six months of this year matches that reported for all of last year," Dr. Ghebreyesus said at a news conference on August 7th.⁴

Unlike in previous mpox outbreaks, where lesions were mostly seen on the chest, hands and feet, the new form causes milder symptoms and lesions on the genitals. That makes it harder to spot, meaning people might also sicken others without knowing they’re infected.¹

CDC Testing Procedures and Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mpox testing procedures and guidelines can be found here.

To aid in the testing procedures, Hardy Diagnostics offers products that are in compliance with CDC guidelines.

Viral Transport Medium, VTM

Hardy Diagnostics’ Viral Transport Medium (VTM) is intended for the collection and transport of clinical specimens for the preservation of viral agents from the collection site to the testing laboratory.

  1. Viral Transport Medium, VTM
    Viral Transport Medium, VTM
    Viral Transport Medium, VTM, 3ml fill (swabs sold separately), order by the package of 20.
  1. Regular, Dry, Polyester Swab, Plastic Applicator with 100mm breakpoint in Peel Pouch
    Regular, Dry, Polyester Swab, Plastic Applicator with 100mm breakpoint in Peel Pouch
    Standard Polyester Tip Swab, Plastic Applicator Shaft with 100mm breakpoint in Peel Pouch, Sterile, Individually Wrapped.

Biohazard Bags

For collection of biohazard waste, not for autoclaving. Made of polyethylene, solid red with black biohazard warnings in English and Spanish, features the international biohazard symbol.

  1. Biohazard Bag, Polyethylene, 25x35 inches, 2.25mil
    Biohazard Bag, Polyethylene, 25x35 inches, 2.25mil
    Biohazard bag for collection of biohazard waste, not for autoclaving.
  1. Biohazard Bag, Polyethylene, 23x23 inches, 1.5mil
    Biohazard Bag, Polyethylene, 23x23 inches, 1.5mil
    Biohazard bag for collection of biohazard waste, not for autoclaving.
  1. Biohazard Bag, Polyethylene, 24x32 inches, 1.2mil
    Biohazard Bag, Polyethylene, 24x32 inches, 1.2mil
    Biohazard bag for collection of biohazard waste, not for autoclaving.

References

  1. Cheng, Maria; WHO declares mpox outbreaks in Africa a global health emergency as a new form of the virus spreads, AP News
  2. Cheng, Maria: A new global health emergency: What is mpox, where are the outbreaks and will the virus spread?, AP News
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP): About Mpox, CDC.gov
  4. Ghebreyesus, Tedros Adhanom: WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing – 7 August 2024, World Health Organization

Meet the author

Megan_Roesner

CLINICAL PRODUCT MANAGER at HARDY DIAGNOSTICS

Megan Roesner, B.A. Journalism and Mass Communications

Megan is a seasoned writer and marketing professional who comes from a background in television journalism, followed by fifteen years leading mulitple hospital marketing and communications teams with the largest not-for-proft health system in the U.S. Megan has won numerous tv, writing and marketing awards and is a member of a number of professional public relations and marketing associations. Her passion for continuous professional challenges and life-long learning led her to Hardy Diagnostics. Megan is proud to work amongst a wonderful marketing team surrounded by experienced microbiologists and scientists who constantly push for the latest and greatest products to help diagnose and detect disease. In her current role, Megan is in charge of product development and marketing Hardy's clinical category which encompasses hospitals and health systems, clinics and research institutions, higher education and veterinary diagnostics. In her free time, Megan enjoys being a mom to her two very active boys, cats, a dog, a very old goldfish and 24 chickens.