(VOR News) – New research has shown that the antibodies that are created by the mpox vaccination nearly completely disappear after six to twelve months.

This highlights the significance of having booster doses in order to maintain a high degree of protection against the disease.

The virus that causes mumps, which was once known as monkeypox, is a virus that spreads quickly and is primarily transferred through close skin-to-skin contact, particularly during sexual activity. Mumps is a contagious Mpox disease that can be fatal. There are a number of symptoms that identify this illness, including a viral fever, painful rashes or blisters, and swollen lymph nodes.

An outbreak of measles that started in 2022 and was revealed more than a year later soon moved to other nations outside of Africa, which was absolutely unique in the history of the disease.

Because of the introduction of a new strain of the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has the potential to be more severe than the previous strain, the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of worldwide concern.

Because it contains Mpox, the new strain can cause worse symptoms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that as of September 1, there have been more than 5,265 confirmed cases of measles, 18,737 suspected cases, and 617 deaths across 14 African states. This information is based on the most recent outbreak of measles in Africa.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Ai-ris Yonekura Collier, stated, “Our study highlights the importance of completing the recommended two-dose mpox vaccine, whether subcutaneous or interdermal, to boost immunity — regardless of the time between doses.”

“Double-dose vaccination is recommended for boosting immunity.” Colonel Collier also holds the position of co-director of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s (BIDMC) Clinical Trials Unit in Providence, Massachusetts. “In this mpox outbreak, ensuring broad access to the full vaccine series is crucial.”

According to the findings of the new study, which were published on October 3 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, persons who had immunizations during the epidemic of 2022 are required to obtain a booster shot in order to preserve the degree of effectiveness that they acquired from their vaccinations.

In order to arrive at this conclusion, the group that was led by Collier conducted an evaluation of immune responses over the course of a year in 45 persons who had either been vaccinated against MPOX during the outbreak or had a confirmed diagnosis of MPOX.

Jynneos, a multivirus Mpox vaccine, was given once or twice.

Through the assessment of antibody and T-cell responses at the beginning, after three weeks, and then at regular intervals of three months until a year had elapsed, they determined that the protection that was established by the vaccination began to decline between six and twelve months after the immunization was administered.

In an effort to contain the outbreak of mpox that took place in 2022, officials from the public health sector provided vaccinations more priority to groups who were at a higher risk of contracting the disease.

Individuals who had new or many sexual partners, males who had intercourse with other men, individuals who worked in health care or laboratories, and individuals who traveled to an area where the virus has been found were all included in these groups.

According to the corresponding author, Dr. Dan Barouch, who is also the head of the Center for Vaccine and Virology Research at BIDMC, larger human studies are required in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine over an extended period of time. This statement was made in a news release that was issued by Beth Israel.

The research was made possible by a number of grants, some of which came from the National Institutes of Health, others from the Massachusetts Consortium for Pathogen Readiness, and yet others from the Division of Intramural Research at the National Institutes of Health.

SOURCE: USN

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COVID was a Paradigm Shift in Health Policymaking, Says Commissioner Stella Kyriakides.

Rwanda Reports 8 Deaths Linked To Ebola-Like Marburg Virus Days After It Declared An Outbreak

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is Part of the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative.

(VOR News) – In an interview conducted at the Euronews Health Summit, the COVID health commissioner emphasised that the approach to developing EU health policy that was established during the COVID-19 epidemic cannot be reversed.

This is the reason it should remain a primary priority.

Outgoing Cypriot Commissioner Kyriakides emphasised the significant impact of the outbreak on EU health policy in an exclusive interview that coincides with tomorrow’s Euronews Health Summit. In conjunction with the summit, the interview was conducted.

We observed a paradigm shift in the realm of health as a result of COVID-19. “It was a clear demonstration to us that, as member states, we are more powerful when we collaborate and work together,” she concluded.

Upon his election to the presidency in 2019, Kyriakides’ initial objectives were to address the issue of antibiotic resistance, revitalise the pharmaceutical industry in the European Union, and advance significant initiatives, including the European Union’s Beating Cancer Plan and the European Health Data Space.

The summit is expected to address two topics: the Data Space and the European Union’s Critical Medicines Strategy.

Conversely, the introduction of COVID-19 resulted in a modification of her mandate, which led to the establishment of the European Health Union with the objective of improving the preparedness and resilience of health systems.

Kyriakides identified the advancements that have been achieved in the pursuit of a more comprehensive strategy that considers climate change and all other pertinent health-related factors during her reflections on her time.

There are always COVID incidents that should have been handled better.

Conversely, she asserted, “We have accomplished a substantial change in our comprehension of health.”

Ongoing concerns

One of the Commissioner’s most noteworthy accomplishments during the pandemic was the timely and effective distribution of vaccinations to all member states of the European Union.

“That moment was very special in my mandate,” Kyriakides stated after reflecting on the event.

She emphasised that the European Commission that will be established in the future should prioritise the preservation of health as the primary objective on the political agenda. The numerous decisions that were made will now be COVID implemented following the conclusion of the European Health Union.

The next leadership team will still need to prioritise critical issues, including the improvement of the Beat Cancer Plan and the provision of treatment for mental health and mental illness.

Kyriakides emphasised the critical importance of establishing mental health on an equal basis with physical health and ensuring that it is incorporated into any strategy.

There are still some unresolved business in the Beating Cancer Plan, particularly in the sections that pertain to the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.

The upcoming Commission and the challenges that lie ahead

Several Commissioners, including Executive Vice President Stéphane Séjourné, Health Commissioner-designate Oliver Varhelyi, and Preparedness Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, will allocate responsibilities associated with health during the upcoming Commission.

Kyriakides provided a guarantee that the division would not impede the progress that is currently being made. “A horizontal strategy is necessary because, as she stated in her mandate, the Beating Cancer Plan was contributed to by up to thirteen Commissioners.”

“It is going to work effectively because,” “COVID Health needs to be viewed across all policies to develop comprehensive strategies,” she stated in her official statement.

Nevertheless, there have been enquiries regarding the appointment of Oliver Varhelyi as Health Commissioner of Hungary. The European Parliament’s acceptance of Varhelyi’s appointment is dubious due to his limited experience in the medical field and his staunch support of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Kyriakides, conversely, is optimistic and anticipates that von der Leyen’s personnel will be “well-prepared and capable of participating.”

She underscored the importance of collaboration among the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Union Council to guarantee the successful implementation of health policy over the next five years during her speech.

At the conclusion of the meeting, she declared, “The initial COVID step will be to establish that relationship, as the European Parliament has been an essential partner over the past five years.”

SOURCE: EN

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Rwanda Reports 8 Deaths Linked To Ebola-Like Marburg Virus Days After It Declared An Outbreak

Kigali, Rwanda – Rwanda reports that eight individuals have died as a result of the Ebola-like and extremely contagious Marburg virus, just days after declaring an outbreak of the fatal hemorrhagic fever for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.

The Marburg virus, like Ebola, originates in fruit bats and spreads to humans by direct contact with infected individuals’ bodily fluids or surfaces, such as contaminated bed sheets. Without treatment, Marburg can kill up to 88% of those who become ill with the disease.

Rwanda Reports 8 Deaths Linked To Ebola-Like Marburg Virus Days After It Declared An Outbreak

Rwanda, a landlocked country in central Africa, declared an epidemic on Friday, with the first six deaths confirmed the following day.

So far, 26 cases have been recorded, with eight individuals dying, Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana announced on Sunday night.

To assist slow the spread, the general population has been advised to avoid physical contact. Some 300 people who came into touch with confirmed cases of the virus have also been identified, and an undefined number of them have been placed in isolation facilities.

The majority of those afflicted are healthcare workers from six of the country’s 30 districts.

“Marburg is a rare disease,” Nsanzimana said journalists. “We are intensifying contact tracing and testing to help stop the spread.”

The minister stated that the source of the ailment has not yet been discovered. He noted that it can take three days to three weeks for a person infected with the virus to develop symptoms.

Symptoms include fever, muscle cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting, and, in some cases, death due to severe blood loss.

The World Health Organisation is increasing its assistance and will collaborate with Rwandan authorities to help stem the spread, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Saturday on the social networking site X.

The US Embassy in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, has asked its employees to work remotely and avoid visiting premises.

Rwanda Reports 8 Deaths Linked To Ebola-Like Marburg Virus Days After It Declared An Outbreak

Marburg outbreaks and individual cases have previously been reported in Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Ghana, according to the WHO.

The unusual virus was initially identified in 1967, when it produced disease outbreaks in laboratories in Marburg, Germany, and Belgrade, Serbia. Seven humans died after being infected with the virus while performing research on monkeys.

Separately, Rwanda has recorded six cases of mpox, a disease caused by a smallpox-related virus that normally produces milder symptoms. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox since it was first discovered in laboratory monkeys, has already spread to numerous other African countries, causing the World Health Organisation to declare a global health emergency.

Rwanda initiated an mpox immunisation campaign earlier this month, and further vaccines are scheduled to arrive. The majority of mpox cases have been reported in neighbouring Congo, which is in the epicentre of the problem.

SOURCE | AP