Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is currently fueling a concerning outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its neighboring regions. The rise in cases is attributed to a new variant believed to be more lethal than the strain responsible for the global mpox outbreak in 2022. Fortunately, there are treatments available that could aid in managing the disease.
Understanding the Lethality of Mpox
Research indicates that the fatality rate for individuals infected with the clade I variant of mpox, which is significantly affecting the DRC, ranges from approximately 1% to 11%. This variation is likely influenced by the differing demographics of affected populations and challenges in disease monitoring. Infants and children, with their less mature immune systems, are at a higher risk for severe and life-threatening infections, as are individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV.
Access to healthcare remains limited in some areas, leading to inadequate surveillance of mpox cases. As a result, only the most severe cases are identified in clinics, while milder cases often go unnoticed, potentially inflating fatality statistics. Additionally, misdiagnosis of mpox symptoms as other diseases, such as measles or chickenpox, further contributes to underreporting, complicating control efforts.
Fatalities in mpox cases are typically due to severe complications, including sepsis, where the infection spreads to the bloodstream causing organ failure, or lung damage driven by inflammatory responses induced by the virus.
Available Treatments for Mpox
In the DRC and surrounding regions affected by the outbreak, specific treatments for mpox are largely lacking. Healthcare professionals primarily focus on symptomatic relief, which can last from two to four weeks. This includes medications like paracetamol to alleviate fevers and headaches, as well as careful management of skin lesions to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
In contrast, regions such as the UK and US have access to antiviral treatments like tecovirimat, originally developed for smallpox. Studies suggest that tecovirimat enhances survival rates in animal models and works by targeting a virus-specific protein that facilitates its spread to healthy cells.
In addition to tecovirimat, antivirals like cidofovir have shown efficacy in protecting animals from lethal doses of the mpox virus by interfering with its replication process.
Another treatment option, known as VIGIV, involves administering antibodies from individuals who have received smallpox vaccines to boost the immune response against mpox.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mpox Treatments
While animal trials indicate promising results for mpox treatments, data on their effectiveness in humans remains limited. Initial outcomes from a recent randomized controlled trial in the DRC suggest that tecovirimat may not significantly accelerate healing for infected individuals. However, a lower mortality rate of 1.7% was observed among participants receiving the antiviral, compared to a typical mortality rate of 3.6% in the DRC which might be attributed to the close medical supervision provided during the study.
To better combat mpox and protect populations, particularly in the DRC, comprehensive efforts aimed at developing effective treatments and enhancing understanding of the disease’s lethality are crucial.
Topics:
- viruses/
- infectious diseases
