Mpox cases are going undetected due to a shortage of testing kits and poor community surveillance in Central Africa, a leading charity has said.
As a major vaccination programme is to be introduced in the Democratic Republic of Congo – the centre of the latest mpox outbreak – tackling the virus at source is viewed as critical in bringing it under control.
Cases have so far also been confirmed in Burundi, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Liberia.
The virus, formerly known as monkeypox, has also been recently reported in Sweden, Pakistan and the Philippines.
Aid workers issued a rallying call for international support and urged people to avoid panic as community prevention programmes in the regions most affected aim to curb further spreads.
“Many of the cases in Burundi and DRC are among children and youth,” said Gwen Eamer, senior officer for public health emergencies at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
“We know for sure there are many more cases than have been counted or identified.
“Categorically we know in many of the countries where this is circulating the capacity of those health systems to detect and test all of those cases is lacking due to chronic underinvestment.”
New variant
The more dangerous and contagious Clade 1b variant of mpox emerged last September.
It is passed on through basic human contact rather than the sexual transmission that contributed to the majority of previous cases of the Clade 2 variant.
More children are now being found with mpox, due to physical contact from family members and friends, with charities calling on improved education and surveillance at source to prevent a wider outbreak.
So far, the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported the highest number of cases this year, with 17,794 of the 18,910 confirmed and 535 of the 541 deaths.
“While transmission was initially based in sexual networks, we're seeing a lot of transmission beyond simply sexual activity,” Ms Eamer told The National.
“That's really important to understand in terms of who is at risk.
“This recent increase is unlike anything we had seen prior to a few years ago, as it is infecting many more people than we have seen in previous epidemics. That is also cause for concern.”
Symptoms include fever, painful rash and lesions, headache, muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes.
More than 1,400 cases have been reported across Africa in recent weeks, raising the continent’s tally for the year to almost 19,000 – a 160 per cent increase on 2023 figures, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Mpox is something that has never happened to many of these communities before,” said Ms Eamer.
“This is not like chickenpox where for many generations parents knew what that looked like.
“It is something that is totally novel to these communities where if something is happening to them that they don't understand, or know what the risk factors are or how to prevent it, that is a challenge.
“Thankfully, this is very different from Covid. It's really important that we use this public health emergency declaration as a rallying call and not as an inducement of panic.”
Vaccines
A shortage of vaccines will be the greatest challenge facing health authorities in the countries experiencing mpox cases.
There are currently two vaccines that are part of the fast-tracked WHO Emergency Use Listing process announced last week – BVN-MN and LC16.
While existing smallpox vaccines are effective against the virus, about 200,000 approved mpox vaccines made by Danish drug company Bavarian Nordic are due to be administered in the region.
The company said it could step up manufacturing of the Jynneos vaccine, supplying 2 million doses this year and another 8 million in 2025.
Meanwhile, an international response has seen the US commit 50,000 vaccines, while France has pledged a further 100,000 doses.
Gavi, the vaccine alliance, works with the WHO, Unicef, the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to vaccinate more than 1 billion children in 78 lower income nations against numerous childhood infections and viruses.
It is offering operational support in affected areas and is working with the WHO and Africa CDC to understand how many mpox doses are needed across affected countries.
“It is clear that DRC, at the epicentre of the outbreak and the appearance of the concerning Clade 1b – with spread to neighbouring non-endemic countries, large number of cases, high case fatality ratio, and new populations impacted – will be a priority area of focus,” a Gavi representative said.
“The top priority is to build an accurate picture of demand and supply.
“In the meantime, however, it’s important that this process does not hold up the response: if some vaccines are available immediately, and countries are ready for them, we have made sure that funding is available to support countries’ rollout.”
No cases of mpox have been reported in the UAE by government health authorities.
There is also no travel guidance from national airlines on those booked on flights to affected areas, although some international airports have introduced preflight screening.
Dr Alaa Zedan, a specialist of internal medicine at Burjeel Hospital, Dubai, said anyone planning a trip to affected regions of Africa should look to delay their journey.
“If someone is still planning to go, it's better to get the vaccine,” he said.
“There is another way to help prevent the spread of mpox, such as avoiding contact with infected animals, especially sick or dead animals, and avoiding contact with the bedding and other materials contaminated with the virus.
“It is important to thoroughly cook all foods that contain animal meat, and frequently wash hands with soap and water.
“Avoiding contact with people who may be infected with the virus and wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose when around others is also important.”
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
THE%C2%A0SPECS
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Oppenheimer
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Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
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Profile
Company name: Marefa Digital
Based: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Number of employees: seven
Sector: e-learning
Funding stage: Pre-seed funding of Dh1.5m in 2017 and an initial seed round of Dh2m in 2019
Investors: Friends and family
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year
2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
if you go
Getting there
Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.
Staying there
On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.
More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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What is a calorie?
A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.
One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.
A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.
Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.
Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.
WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
