A Harvard Chief Biopreparedness Expert Shares 4 Facts About Monkeypox Transmission

On August 14, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to an outbreak of mpox, otherwise known as monkeypox, across several countries in Africa. This is the second time in two years the WHO has declared a public emergency because of mpox, after an outbreak in 2022 led to cases in Europe and North America.

Though this outbreak has not yet reached the U.S., NBC reports that on August 15 a case was detected in Sweden, “the first known infection of the strain outside Africa.” On Friday, August 16, the BBC reported on a recommendation from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: “Travellers should consider getting vaccinated against mpox if they will be visiting affected areas in Africa.”

Mpox can spread through intimate contact or bodily fluids, with symptoms including a fever, chills, fatigue, a sore throat and a distinctive, painful rash. However, the current strain, known as clade 1b, can cause more severe illness and death, according to the WHO.

With 15,600 cases of mpox and 537 deaths reported so far this year, public health experts are raising a red flag to make sure that people know how to protect themselves. Syra Madad D.H.Sc, M.Sc., MCP, CHEP, who works as the infectious disease expert at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science as well as the international affairs and chief biopreparedness officer for the NYC Hospital System, shared with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest what you should know about this mpox outbreak, including why this strain is unique and what the U.S. can expect.

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What makes this Mpox strain different?

“The current Mpox strain, specifically clade 1b, is particularly concerning due to its increased severity and rapid spread through sexual networks,” Dr. Madad explains. “This strain has emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and is now spreading to neighboring countries, marking a significant shift from earlier strains.”

Where and why are new Mpox cases happening?

“New cases of Mpox are primarily occurring in the DRC and spreading to neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda,” Dr. Madad explains. “The spread is facilitated through sexual transmission within high-risk populations, such as female sex workers and men who have sex with men. Additionally, in the DRC, children are contracting the virus through close contact with infected animals or within crowded household environments, though transmission data is still lacking here. The situation is worsened by limited or no access to vaccines and a weak healthcare infrastructure.”

Will this reach the U.S.?

“While the risk of mpox clade 1b reaching the U.S. is currently considered low, it is not negligible and only increasing,” Dr. Madad says. “The spread of this strain beyond Africa, as evidenced by the recent case in Sweden, underscores the potential for global transmission. Vigilance and preparedness are key to ensuring that any introduction of the virus is swiftly contained.

What can we expect moving forward?

“Moving forward, we can expect continued international efforts to contain this outbreak, particularly in Africa,” Dr. Madad says. “The recent declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern highlights the need for a coordinated global response. Ongoing monitoring, vaccine distribution and public health interventions will be essential to prevent further spread and to protect vulnerable populations globally.”

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