Mpox vaccine maker ready to produce 10 million doses
Copenhagen (AFP) – Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic said Thursday it was ready to produce up to 10 million doses of its vaccine targeting mpox by 2025 after the World Health Organization declared a surge in the virus in Africa a global public health emergency.
Issued on: 15/08/2024 -
Copenhagen (AFP) – Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic said Thursday it was ready to produce up to 10 million doses of its vaccine targeting mpox by 2025 after the World Health Organization declared a surge in the virus in Africa a global public health emergency.
Issued on: 15/08/2024 -
The African Union's health agency Africa said200,000 doses of the drugmaker's vaccine were to be deployed in Africa
© MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Alarmed by a rise in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the spread of mpox to nearby countries, WHO experts said Wednesday that the "situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern".
"We have additional manufacturing capacity of two million doses for 2024 and (a total of) 10 million doses by 2025," Rolf Sass Sorensen, vice-president of Bavarian Nordic, told AFP.
The company is awaiting orders from the countries concerned before starting manufacturing. "We need to see the contracts," Sorensen said.
The Danish laboratory says it has some 500,000 doses in stock.
Shares in Bavarian Nordic, whose vaccine against mpox has been licensed since 2019, rose nearly eight percent on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange on Thursday, following the WHO announcement. This followed a 12 percent climb on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the African Union's health agency, announced that over 200,000 doses of the vaccine were to be deployed in Africa, following an agreement with the European Union (EU) and Bavarian Nordic.
Alarmed by a rise in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the spread of mpox to nearby countries, WHO experts said Wednesday that the "situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern".
"We have additional manufacturing capacity of two million doses for 2024 and (a total of) 10 million doses by 2025," Rolf Sass Sorensen, vice-president of Bavarian Nordic, told AFP.
The company is awaiting orders from the countries concerned before starting manufacturing. "We need to see the contracts," Sorensen said.
The Danish laboratory says it has some 500,000 doses in stock.
Shares in Bavarian Nordic, whose vaccine against mpox has been licensed since 2019, rose nearly eight percent on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange on Thursday, following the WHO announcement. This followed a 12 percent climb on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the African Union's health agency, announced that over 200,000 doses of the vaccine were to be deployed in Africa, following an agreement with the European Union (EU) and Bavarian Nordic.
Mpox cases in Africa © Nicholas SHEARMAN / AFP
A total of 38,465 cases of the disease, formerly known as monkeypox, have been reported in 16 African countries since January 2022, with 1,456 deaths.
There has been a 160 percent increase in cases this year compared to the previous year, according to data published last week by the health agency.
Bavarian Nordic mainly supplies it's mpox vaccine -- called Jynneos in the United States and Imvanex in the European Union -- to governments and international organisations, but began marketing it on the US market in April.
© 2024 AFP
A total of 38,465 cases of the disease, formerly known as monkeypox, have been reported in 16 African countries since January 2022, with 1,456 deaths.
There has been a 160 percent increase in cases this year compared to the previous year, according to data published last week by the health agency.
Bavarian Nordic mainly supplies it's mpox vaccine -- called Jynneos in the United States and Imvanex in the European Union -- to governments and international organisations, but began marketing it on the US market in April.
© 2024 AFP
The World Health Organization on Thursday said a first case of mpox linked to an outbreak in Africa has been identified outside the continent after an infection was confirmed in Sweden. The news comes a day after the WHO declared mpox, also known as monkeypox, a global public health emergency.
Issued on: 15/08/2024 -
State epidemiologist Magnus Gisslen speaks during a press conference on August 15, 2024. © Fredrik Sandberg, AFP
Sweden on Thursday announced the first case outside Africa of the more dangerous variant of mpox, which the WHO has declared a global public health emergency.
The country's public health agency confirmed to AFP that it was the same strain of the virus that has surged in the Democratic Republic of Congo since September 2023, known as the Clade 1b subclade.
"A person who sought care" in Stockholm "has been diagnosed with mpox caused by the clade I variant. It is the first case caused by clade I to be diagnosed outside the African continent," the agency said in a statement.
The person was infected during a visit to "the part of Africa where there is a major outbreak of mpox clade I," state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslen said in the statement.
The patient "has received care," Gisslen said. The agency added that Sweden "has a preparedness to diagnose, isolate and treat people with mpox safely."
"The fact that a patient with mpox is treated in the country does not affect the risk to the general population, a risk that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) currently considers very low," it said.
The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 548 people since the start of the year.
WHO declared the outbreak in the DRC and neighbouring countries a public health emergency of international concern on Wednesday.
Formerly called monkeypox, the virus was first discovered in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC.
It is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.
The disease causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.
(AFP)
Sweden on Thursday announced the first case outside Africa of the more dangerous variant of mpox, which the WHO has declared a global public health emergency.
The country's public health agency confirmed to AFP that it was the same strain of the virus that has surged in the Democratic Republic of Congo since September 2023, known as the Clade 1b subclade.
"A person who sought care" in Stockholm "has been diagnosed with mpox caused by the clade I variant. It is the first case caused by clade I to be diagnosed outside the African continent," the agency said in a statement.
The person was infected during a visit to "the part of Africa where there is a major outbreak of mpox clade I," state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslen said in the statement.
The patient "has received care," Gisslen said. The agency added that Sweden "has a preparedness to diagnose, isolate and treat people with mpox safely."
"The fact that a patient with mpox is treated in the country does not affect the risk to the general population, a risk that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) currently considers very low," it said.
The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 548 people since the start of the year.
WHO declared the outbreak in the DRC and neighbouring countries a public health emergency of international concern on Wednesday.
Formerly called monkeypox, the virus was first discovered in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC.
It is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.
The disease causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.
(AFP)
Mpox risk low but UK medics on alert
UK health chiefs say they are making plans in case a new type of mpox virus is detected in the country - but they emphasise the risk is low.
It comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Wednesday that outbreaks in west and central Africa constitute a global health emergency.
Mpox, previously known as monkey pox, is a contagious virus that can cause painful skin lesions.
Plans are under way to ensure UK healthcare workers are aware of the key signs to look out for and have rapid tests available.
What is mpox and how is it spread?
WHO declares mpox global health emergency
A case of mpox has also been detected in Sweden after a person became infected during a stay in an area of Africa where the disease is spreading.
One of the main reasons the WHO called for global action against mpox is the emergence of a new type of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), known as Clade 1b.
This type of mpox has been detected in a growing number of African countries in the past year and there are concerns that it can sometimes cause severe disease and death.
Mpox has killed at least 450 people in the DRC.
Currently, there are no cases of Clade 1b mpox confirmed in the UK but experts say cases can spread if international action is not taken.
Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “The risk to the UK population is currently considered low.
"However, planning is under way to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK.
"This includes ensuring that clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly, that rapid testing is available and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection, and the prevention of onward transmission.''
Weakened immune systems
The disease - formally known as monkeypox - can be passed on by close contact with anyone with the infection or with infected bedding and surfaces, for example.
Common symptoms often include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions which can last two to four weeks, fever, headache and muscle aches.
Symptoms often clear up in two weeks but it can be fatal, particularly for people with weakened immune systems.
Children and pregnant women may also be at greater risk.
In 2022, the WHO declared a separate outbreak of Clade 2 mpox to be a public health emergency of international concern.
This was lifted in May 2023 after cases declined.
It spread to nearly 100 countries which do not normally see the virus, including some in Europe and Asia.
There was a large outbreak in the UK in May 2022, mostly affecting men who have sex with men.
A vaccination campaign helped to cut its spread.
UKHSA figures suggest there were 3,732 confirmed and highly probable cases reported in the UK up to the end of 2022.
Some 239 cases have been reported up to July this year.
Of these, 225 were in England, with 98 patients presumed to have caught the virus in the UK and 74 outside the country. Testing is ongoing.
Getty Images
Mpox was formerly known as monkeypox
BBC
Mpox was formerly known as monkeypox
BBC
UK health chiefs say they are making plans in case a new type of mpox virus is detected in the country - but they emphasise the risk is low.
It comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Wednesday that outbreaks in west and central Africa constitute a global health emergency.
Mpox, previously known as monkey pox, is a contagious virus that can cause painful skin lesions.
Plans are under way to ensure UK healthcare workers are aware of the key signs to look out for and have rapid tests available.
What is mpox and how is it spread?
WHO declares mpox global health emergency
A case of mpox has also been detected in Sweden after a person became infected during a stay in an area of Africa where the disease is spreading.
One of the main reasons the WHO called for global action against mpox is the emergence of a new type of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), known as Clade 1b.
This type of mpox has been detected in a growing number of African countries in the past year and there are concerns that it can sometimes cause severe disease and death.
Mpox has killed at least 450 people in the DRC.
Currently, there are no cases of Clade 1b mpox confirmed in the UK but experts say cases can spread if international action is not taken.
Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “The risk to the UK population is currently considered low.
"However, planning is under way to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK.
"This includes ensuring that clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly, that rapid testing is available and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection, and the prevention of onward transmission.''
Weakened immune systems
The disease - formally known as monkeypox - can be passed on by close contact with anyone with the infection or with infected bedding and surfaces, for example.
Common symptoms often include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions which can last two to four weeks, fever, headache and muscle aches.
Symptoms often clear up in two weeks but it can be fatal, particularly for people with weakened immune systems.
Children and pregnant women may also be at greater risk.
In 2022, the WHO declared a separate outbreak of Clade 2 mpox to be a public health emergency of international concern.
This was lifted in May 2023 after cases declined.
It spread to nearly 100 countries which do not normally see the virus, including some in Europe and Asia.
There was a large outbreak in the UK in May 2022, mostly affecting men who have sex with men.
A vaccination campaign helped to cut its spread.
UKHSA figures suggest there were 3,732 confirmed and highly probable cases reported in the UK up to the end of 2022.
Some 239 cases have been reported up to July this year.
Of these, 225 were in England, with 98 patients presumed to have caught the virus in the UK and 74 outside the country. Testing is ongoing.
WHO declares mpox a global public health emergency for second time in two years
15 August 2024 -
By Bhanvi Satija and Jennifer Rigby
Christian Musema, a laboratory nurse, takes a sample from a child declared a suspected case mpox at the the treatment centre in Munigi, following cases in Nyiragongo territory near Goma, North Kivu province, DRC, on July 19 2024.
Image: REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi
The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has spread to neighbouring countries.
An emergency committee met earlier on Wednesday to advise WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on whether the disease outbreak constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern,” or PHEIC.
PHEIC status is WHO's highest level of alert and aims to accelerate research, funding and international public health measures and co-operation to contain a disease.
“It's clear that a co-ordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” said Tedros.
Mpox can spread through close contact. Usually mild, it is fatal in rare cases. It causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body.
The outbreak in DRC began with the spread of an endemic strain, known as clade I. But a new variant, clade Ib, appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact. It has spread from DRC to neighbouring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, triggering the action from the WHO.
Bavarian Nordic to donate mpox vaccine doses following African emergency declaration
Christian Musema, a laboratory nurse, takes a sample from a child declared a suspected case mpox at the the treatment centre in Munigi, following cases in Nyiragongo territory near Goma, North Kivu province, DRC, on July 19 2024.
Image: REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi
The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has spread to neighbouring countries.
An emergency committee met earlier on Wednesday to advise WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on whether the disease outbreak constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern,” or PHEIC.
PHEIC status is WHO's highest level of alert and aims to accelerate research, funding and international public health measures and co-operation to contain a disease.
“It's clear that a co-ordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” said Tedros.
Mpox can spread through close contact. Usually mild, it is fatal in rare cases. It causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body.
The outbreak in DRC began with the spread of an endemic strain, known as clade I. But a new variant, clade Ib, appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact. It has spread from DRC to neighbouring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, triggering the action from the WHO.
Bavarian Nordic to donate mpox vaccine doses following African emergency declaration
Danish biotech firm Bavarian Nordic said on Tuesday it will donate 40,000 doses of its mpox vaccine to Africa's top public health body, after the ...
“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” Tedros added.
Tedros said on Wednesday that WHO had released $1.5m (R27m) in contingency funds and plans to release more in the coming days. WHO's response plan would require an initial $15m (R270.4m), and the agency plans to appeal to donors for funding.
Earlier this week, Africa's top public health body declared an mpox emergency for the continent after warning that the viral infection was spreading at an alarming rate, with more than 17,000 suspected cases and more than 500 deaths this year, mainly among children in DRC.
Prof Dimie Ogoina, chair of WHO's mpox emergency committee, said all members unanimously agreed that the current upsurge of cases is an “extraordinary event,” with a record number of cases in DRC.
Vaccines and behaviour change helped stop the spread when a different strain of mpox spread globally, primarily among men who have sex with men, and WHO declared an emergency in 2022.
In DRC, the transmission routes need further study, WHO said. No vaccines are yet available, though efforts are under way to change that and work out who best to target. The agency also appealed to countries with stockpiles to donate shots.
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