Mexico reports three new cases of mpox after WHO declares it a global health emergency

Mexico reported three new cases of monkeypox, also known as mpox, taking the total in the country to 49 as of August 2024, with no fatalities linked to the virus. The latest cases were confirmed in Jalisco, the state that has recorded the highest number of infections in the country.

The three individuals who contracted the virus have since fully recovered, and no additional cases have been identified in the state. These cases are the first to be reported following the local health authorities' decision to intensify epidemiological surveillance to better monitor and manage the disease. This heightened vigilance comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency on August 14.

Calls for Vaccination and Public Health Response

In response to the recent cases, Mexican health organizations are urging the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risk (Cofepris) to expedite the approval and distribution of the mpox vaccine in Mexico. They have highlighted the importance of evaluating and authorizing vaccines that meet international safety and quality standards to ensure public health protection.

The WHO's declaration of a global health emergency emphasizes the urgency of the situation, particularly in light of the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its spread to neighboring countries.

This outbreak is distinct from previous ones due to the involvement of multiple virus variants, including the very dangerous Clado 1B, resulting in different levels of risk and transmission. The virus is now being transmitted through various routes, including direct contact with skin lesions, bodily fluids, contaminated objects, sexual contact, and from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.

Mpox in Mexico

Mexican authorities explained that no cases of the clade 1B variant have been reported in the country, but fear of it has put authorities on alert because it is more deadly and transmissible.

This are the numbers of cases in Mexico per state

• Ciudad de México (29)
• Quintana Roo (7)
• Jalisco (3)
• Morelos (2)
• Puebla (2)
• Estado de México (1)
• Nuevo León (1)
• Sinaloa (1)
• Tamaulipas (1)
• Tlaxcala (1)
• Veracruz (1)

Mpox in the U.S and Canada

The Mexican numbers are part of the effort of health officials in North America, where the risk posed by mpox is being closely monitored, especially with the emergence of new strains.

U.S. health officials have issued warnings and are urging the public to take preventive measures following the detection of the virus in Europe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised healthcare providers to remain vigilant for symptoms of the virus and to inquire about patients' recent travel to affected areas.

While the U.S. or Canada haven't not reported any cases of the more severe clade I mpox, the potential for its spread remains a concern. The U.S. has experienced outbreaks of the less severe clade II mpox since 2022, primarily affecting men who have sex with men, as well as some nonbinary and transgender individuals. As of July 2024, over 32,000 cases have been reported in the U.S., with 58 deaths attributed to the virus.

In Canada there have been 1,460 cases since 2022, with no deaths reported.