The Ivan Toms Center for Health in Cape Town, South Africa, is facing a new challenge: mpox. This disease, previously known as monkeypox, has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization for the second time in two years. The 2022 outbreak of mpox has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men, with more than 90 percent of known cases being among this group.
One of the key concerns in addressing the mpox outbreak is the high prevalence of HIV among those infected. Studies have shown that individuals with advanced HIV have worse clinical outcomes and higher mortality rates from mpox. The interaction between HIV and mpox is still not fully understood, but researchers are working to unravel this connection as it could be crucial in halting the outbreak.
Lessons learned from the HIV/AIDS pandemic are now being applied to address the mpox outbreak. The Ivan Toms Center for Health has integrated mpox services into its HIV care and is working closely with organizations to provide coordinated messaging and strategies for addressing the stigma associated with the disease. By leveraging the experiences and approaches developed during the HIV/AIDS crisis, public health officials are better equipped to combat mpox and provide effective care to those affected.
In addition to addressing the stigma surrounding mpox, efforts are being made to ensure access to treatment and prevention services. The clinic has implemented innovative approaches such as mobile units that provide comprehensive HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services directly in communities. These efforts aim to remove social barriers and improve adherence to medication, particularly among individuals at high risk for infection.
The current outbreak of mpox involves two variants of the virus circulating in different countries in Africa. Unlike the 2022 outbreak, which primarily affected men who have sex with men, the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has largely spread through men seeing women who are sex workers. This highlights the need for tailored and comprehensive responses to address the multiple outbreaks of different clades with varying modes of transmission.
Access to the mpox vaccine remains a challenge in many countries, including South Africa. Efforts are being made to increase access to the vaccine, drawing on lessons learned from the COVID pandemic. African countries have shown resilience and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges related to vaccine access, and global health institutions are mobilizing resources to ensure equitable distribution of the mpox vaccine.
As the 2024 mpox outbreak continues to evolve, it is clear that collaboration, innovation, and lessons learned from past pandemics will be essential in extinguishing the spread of the disease. By applying the knowledge gained from previous health crises, public health officials, clinicians, and researchers can work together to address the mpox outbreak and protect the health and well-being of communities around the world.
