Blessings of monkeys: Effective vaccine, not antivirals – Who are most at risk, vulnerable children

Greece is also on the lookout for a possible case after it has been set foot in Europe, specifically Sweden. Measures against the rapid spread of the new variant of the new variant of monkey smallpox, which according to WHO presents pandemic characteristics, took place in time. Greece was one of the first countries to start vaccination of people over the age of 18, with the Jynneos vaccine. This is a vaccine that has proved the effective coverage and protection it offers against the new phylogenetic group 1b of the Mpox virus. At the same time, the virus known as the apes smallpox virus continues to pose a significant threat to public health, mainly due to the emergence of the new phylogenetic group 1b, which is widely circulating and has emerged as highly contagious and dangerous. The scientific community seems to be concerned about the effectiveness of existing treatments and therefore studies continue with unrelenting intensity, just as the World Health Organization has recommended. Thus, it has been shown that the vaccine is the only weapon that science currently possesses in its quiver, as according to clinical studies published recently, the antiviral drug Tecovirimat appears to have no strong efficacy in treating the latest virus variant. “Inoculation is considered in clinical studies that saw the light of publicity a few days ago, that it is effective, not only in phylogenetic group 1 (p. that of the original strain of the virus), but also in the most aggressive phylogenetic group 1b, which has been circulating mainly in the last few months),” says speaking to iatropedia.gr, the Professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Dora Psaltopoulou and adds that what proved to be ineffective in the new group 1b is an antiviral medicine circulating in recent years. What groups of the population are most at risk in Greece According to Mrs. Psaltopoulou, there are specific groups of people at increased risk of infection with Mpox virus. As he says, danger is increasing mainly in people who have traveled or live in areas where the disease is endemic, such as Congo and other neighbouring countries of Central Africa. Also, increased risk is faced by people who have come into contact with infected people or have consumed products from wild animals and rodents. “Those who have gone to Congo and the neighbouring countries. Those who have come into contact with people who are ill or with meat and with meat products of wild animals and rodents (apes, monkeys and rodents), immunocatalysts, people who have multiple sexual partners – regardless of gender – those who have multiple sexual partners associated with individuals from those areas, people with HIV infection, all of them can be affected as the disease can be transmitted through close physical contact. Unfortunately, children are very vulnerable. Unfortunately, children are not poor from getting stuck,” she notes. It is worth noting that children in Africa have been shown to be extremely vulnerable to the virus, although they are often considered more resistant to infections. Even among the 17,000 suspected cases of MPox across the African continent, 50% of the reported cases and the majority of deaths are children under 5 years of age. It is assumed that these infections belong to the phylogenetic group Ia, which is endemic to the area. Ineffective Tecovirimat antiviral in the new variant An important issue that emerged in recent studies is the ineffectiveness of Tecovirimat antiviral medicine in the treatment of Mpox virus variant 1b. Professor Psaltopoulou explains how Tecovirimat, which was effective in the earlier variant of the virus, “does not seem to give a greater chance of treatment to people who are sick and taking it” in the new variant. This means that Mpox 1b virus sufferers cannot rely on this medicine for their recovery. “In group 1b, the antiviral medicine circulating and being given to date under the name Tecovirimat does not appear to give a greater chance of treatment to people who are ill and taking it. We are talking about the new industry, in the older sector it remains effective,” the Professor stresses. Mortality and transmission of the new variant Mpox virus variant 1b has shown increased communicability and greater ability to cause complications, compared to the earlier variant. However, recent studies show that the mortality of the new variant is lower than originally assessed. Specifically, the probability of death by the Mpox virus of phylogenetic group 1b is 1.7% lower than originally predicted. “In the infection from the new branch 1b there is a possibility of 1.7% death which is less than 3% and 5% and 10% initially assessed”, says Dora Psaltopoulou and adds that despite lower mortality the virus still poses a significant threat, especially in areas such as Africa, where hygiene conditions and health systems are not sufficiently developed. Continuous monitoring of virus progression and preventive measures, such as vaccination of vulnerable groups, are crucial for the restriction of Mpox, end up with scientists. Where you can be vaccinated against Mpox Vaccination against Mpox is currently taking place in Athens at the following vaccination centres: Hospital of Afrodisia and Skin Diseases: ANDREAS CONGREGROS Contact Phone:210 7295310 / 210 7265159 University General Hospital: ATTICN Contact Phone:210 5831656 by Janna Soulaki/ Source: Iatropedia.gr