Mpox: Changing epidemiology, evolving epidemic, new vaccine production, and way out in a resource-limited economy

Mpox was declared public health emergency of continental security and public health emergency of international concern by the Africa CDC and the WHO in 2024 due to devastating global outbreak caused by newly emerged Mpox virus clades. The divergent virulent new clades are genetically and phylogenetically different from the previous ones that were endemic in Democratic Republic of the Congo, spreading to neighboring countries and other parts of the globe, with considerable morbidity and mortality. The emerged new circulating clades responsible for current epidemics are associated with changing epidemiology and new disease outcomes. Sexual transmission plays a key role in sustaining transmission, spread beyond Africa and affected mainly the sexually active young adults. To curb the menace of these epidemics, there is need to develop a polyvalent vaccine incorporating the various circulating clades. Mass vaccination with the proposed vaccine will achieve herd immunity in addition to effective infection prevention and control strategies.