What is the simian pox (aka monkeypox) virus?

[gracielle]

20 May 2022

What is monkeypox? A microbiologist explains what's known about this smallpox cousin

Monkeypox has been spreading in humans since as early as 1970. While most monkeypox infections are mild, some can be fatal.

theconversation.com

19 May 2022

Monkeypox

WHO fact sheet on monkeypox: includes key facts, definition, outbreaks, transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, WHO response.

www.who.int

.... Evidence of prior vaccination against smallpox can usually be found as a scar on the upper arm. At the present time, the original (first-generation) smallpox vaccines are no longer available to the general public. Some laboratory personnel or health workers may have received a more recent smallpox vaccine to protect them in the event of exposure to orthopoxviruses in the workplace. A still newer vaccine based on a modified attenuated vaccinia virus (Ankara strain) was approved for the prevention of monkeypox in 2019. This is a two-dose vaccine for which availability remains limited. Smallpox and monkeypox vaccines are developed in formulations based on the vaccinia virus due to cross-protection afforded for the immune response to orthopoxviruses.

 

[gracielle]

20 May 2022

80 confirmed worldwide cases of monkeypox baffle African scientists who have long studied the disease

Scientists who have monitored numerous outbreaks of monkeypox in Africa say they are baffled by the disease's recent spread in Europe and North America.

www.pbs.org

28 May 2022

Two cases of monkeypox confirmed in Argentina

Argentine health authorities Friday confirmed the first two cases of monkeypox in the country. Both men had been in Spain recently but are not connected.

en.mercopress.com

 

[gracielle]

29 May 2022

Viruela del mono: ¿cuál es la situación en Argentina? | El escenario local tras la confirmación del segundo caso

Aunque aún se desconoce su potencial pandémico, las especialistas consultadas por este diario optan por la cautela: hay indicios que permiten aventurar un horizonte de tranquilidad. El origen, los síntomas, la letalidad, la prevención y las vacunas.

www.pagina12.com.ar

The local scenario after the confirmation of the second case. Monkeypox: what is the situation in Argentina?
....For the simian disease, the situation map has several edges. The vaccine historically used for smallpox - and discontinued in the early 1980s - confers protection of more than 80% for simian smallpox. On the other hand, the Moderna laboratory announced the start of preclinical trials to develop a specific technology. But the best news of all is that there is already a vaccine that can work: called Imvamune, it was developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic and approved in several countries. Daniela Hozbor, biochemist and Conicet researcher at the Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology of La Plata, sheds light on the matter: "The Danish vaccine works with attenuated virus and was developed after the attacks on the Twin Towers in the United States, foreseeing the possibility of a bioterrorist attack. In fact, it was used in a smallpox outbreak in the United States in 2003". It is a second-generation vaccine and it even shows efficacy if used a few days after exposure to the virus, to the extent that it reduces the severity of the case. "There is another vaccine, ACAM2000, which also works with attenuated virus and was approved by the FDA in 2019," adds the vaccine expert....

 

[Millie]

Hi All,
FYI
The WHO just declared Monkeypox as a Global Health Emergency. Articles in CNBC online, Wall Street Journal and others.

 

[gracielle]

23 June 2022

Cuarto caso argentino de viruela del mono fue detectado en Mendoza

Se trata de un hombre de 45 años que vive en Godoy Cruz y que había viajado a España en los últimos 21 días.

www-perfil-com.translate.goog

Fourth Argentine case of monkeypox was detected in Mendoza...

 

[gracielle]

23 July 2022

Viruela del mono: el mundo está en alerta máxima pero solo dispone de una vacuna danesa

Aunque sorprendidos por la propagación de la enfermedad, el vicepresidente del laboratorio Bavarian Nordic dice que por el momento el laboratorio puede absorber la demanda a pesar de que solo cuentan con una sola fábrica de producción.

www-perfil-com.translate.goog

Monkeypox: the world is on high alert but only a Danish vaccine is available....

 

[Millie]

FYI: just announced via New York Times