Do We Need to Live with Frequent Pandemics?

By W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford A pandemic, the rapid spread of infectious disease worldwide, is supposed to be a rare thing, right? In the 20th Century, we went decades without such problems. But was COVID-19 the beginning of more frequent unwelcome viral visitors? How attentive do we need to be to warnings of new viral diseases with different names? The World Health Organization has declared the latest outbreak of Mpox to be a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” It’s hard to tell if that means “Now listen here, get ready for another wallop,” or if we can safely go about our business with hope all will be well enough. Given the WHO issued the same alert about an Mpox outbreak in July 2022, and then lifted the alarm in May 2023, one wonders if issuing warnings has the unintended consequence of fueling complacency. But if Mpox becomes another pandemic, let’s pray that health authorities do not repeat the same tragic error. They must not completely shut down our society and the economy. We know how to adopt sound hygienic measures and that vaccines can be effective. We have yet to learn, however, that most people could do more to protect themselves against viral infections by taking common sense approaches to protect themselves. For one example, it's stark negligence that health authorities don’t advocate more clearly about what people can do to build up and maintain stronger immune systems. Now, it appears that a new strain of Mpox will test our fortitude. Experts say the new variant made its initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then a traveller probably carried the virus to Europe, where Sweden reported a case of Mpox. What should you know about Mpox? Infectious disease experts say it’s a close relative of the smallpox virus and that there are two different types, called clade I and clade II, the latter of which was responsible for the outbreak in 2022. Clade I causes the most serious symptoms and is responsible for a higher rate of deaths. And this is the strain that is presently on the move. What are the symptoms of Mpox? Initially, it presents similar to a common cold. But then a raised rash appears on the face, mouth, hands, legs, feet, or the genitals, easy to confuse with measles or chickenpox. Anyone in close physical contact with another person who has contracted Mpox is at risk. Contact with bedsheets or clothes of an infected person also enable transfer of the virus. Experts say there is an incubation period ranging from 3-21 days before symptoms appear. Are we going to see a running count of new cases reported on the nightly news? It’s only a matter of time before all countries report more cases. Fortunately, there are vaccines. The Mpox virus is closely related to the smallpox virus and existing vaccines for smallpox are proving effective in preventing infection from each of the strains of Mpox. That’s good news. But keep in mind, these vaccines are for prevention, and if the spread of disease is faster than the production of vaccine, we will have another problem. For now, only those people who are at risk of exposure are advised to get vaccinated. How can people protect themselves when the disease is spreading globally? To start, be careful about that lengthy incubation period when symptoms are absent but close contact can transmit the virus. Stay loyal to one sexual partner. Demand the same in return. Warnings about viral pandemics are not the time for playing around. Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones