Search Results (32)

Monkeypox (Mpox) disease, caused by the Monkeypox virus (Mpox virus), emerged as a significant global health threat during the 2022 outbreak, prompting the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Rapid evolution through genomic modifications enhanced its outbreak potential. Zoonotic transmission occurs through close contact with infected rodents or primates; human-to-human transmission occurs via close contact or homosexual intercourse. The virus disseminates via the lymphatic system, causing symptoms ranging from mild skin lesions to severe multi-system complications or even death. Diagnosis incorporates clinical symptoms as well as advanced molecular and immunological methods. Currently, no specific antiviral medications or vaccines are available for Mpox, necessitating reliance on conventional therapeutic supports and treatments developed for smallpox. Raising awareness, promoting protective practices, implementing surveillance, enabling rapid diagnosis, ensuring timely treatment, and promoting mass vaccination are crucial to curb Mpox transmission. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on epidemiology, evolution, transmission, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, and prevention strategies for Mpox. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during its declared Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) period, has flattened the bid-rent curve and increased the rate of functional obsolescence of older office buildings. A critical question remains as to whether these trends have persisted or moderated following the official end of the PHEIC in May 2023. This study investigates the trajectory of office market dynamics in Hong Kong during and after the PHEIC period. Using secondary transaction data from Hong Kong, we find that the decline in the marginal value of proximity to the central business district (CBD), which was most pronounced during the PHEIC period, has subsequently moderated. In addition, this moderation is significantly stronger for high-end offices than for low-end ones. Furthermore, we find that the functional obsolescence of older office buildings not only accelerated during the PHEIC period but continued and further strengthened after the PHEIC period. Full article

Since 2022, global outbreaks of monkeypox virus (MPXV) have been repeatedly designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), underscoring the urgent need to elucidate the multidimensional mechanisms underlying viral evolution and transmission. Current understanding remains largely focused on genomic variation, while the critical role of epigenetic regulation has been considerably overlooked. To address this gap, this study integrates high-throughput evolutionary genomic analysis with whole-genome DNA methylation profiling. Using parallel Illumina and Nanopore sequencing platforms, we comprehensively characterized two clinically derived MPXV isolates collected locally. The results revealed that both isolates belonged to the C.1.1 ancestral lineage, diverging into distinct clades (E.3 and E.4, respectively, supporting the presence of at least two independent viral introduction events into the region, each followed by limited local transmission. They had accrued a considerable number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with APOBEC3-associated substitutions constituting 84.8% and 77.6% of all observed mutations. Furthermore, both 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and N6-methyladenine (6mA) modifications were identified and found to be preferentially enriched within the inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) regions of MPXV genome in both viral strains; moreover, the E.4 lineage viral strain exhibits a markedly more intricate and compositionally diversified modification landscape, a pattern that indicates appreciable epigenetic heterogeneity among MPXV lineages. Our study furnishes a multi-omics framework that presents a systematic evolutionary feature of two clinical MPXV isolates and their genomic DNA 5hmC and 6mA modification topologies, and enhances our understanding of MPXV viral adaptation and diversification. Full article

Public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC) generate worldwide public health impacts, making the international dissemination of risk information critically important for both global health governance and sustainable development. The global media system facilitates this dissemination through collaborative and interdependent networks, enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening the resilience of global health communication systems. This study examines PHEIC-related information flows by constructing and analyzing news citation networks during multiple outbreaks to characterize patterns of information exchange between Africa and other regions. We identify key participants, analyze thematic structures, and investigate the structural determinants influencing information flow. The results reveal significant inequalities in public health risk information exchange between Africa and other world regions, evident in participant composition, engagement modes, thematic focus, and interaction intensity. These asymmetries reflect underlying disparities in global communication capacity and socioeconomic development, indicating that information inequality has become a critical dimension of global health and sustainability challenges. Promoting equitable access to public health information and strengthening Africa’s media and communication capacity are essential steps toward achieving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable global health governance. Full article

Mpox, caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and poses a serious global health threat. Current therapeutic options for MPXV infection are limited. The orthopoxvirus dual-specificity phosphatase H1 plays critical roles in suppressing interferon signaling, regulating early viral transcription, and modulating viral core protease activity. Suppressing H1 expression markedly reduces the production of infectious viral particles, highlighting it as a promising antiviral target. Here, we developed a high-throughput enzymatic assay using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as a substrate to discover MPXV H1 inhibitors. We demonstrated that both the N-terminal helix α1, which mediates H1 dimerization, and the catalytic residue Cys110 are indispensable for enzymatic activity, validating them as potential “hot spots” for drug design. Screening identified 17 potent inhibitors with nanomolar IC₅₀ values and minimal cytotoxicity. Molecular docking revealed that these inhibitors bind within the active site of MPXV H1, interacting with residues in the P-loop and WPD-loop, thereby restricting substrate access and suppressing activity. This study identifies several potent inhibitors of MPXV H1, establishing a foundation for the development of novel antivirals against MPXV infection. Full article

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox (MPX) outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on 23 July 2022, and 14 August 2024, respectively, underscoring the confirmed and concerning global spread of the disease. A gap exists in our fundamental understanding of the mpox virus (MPXV), despite its genetic relatedness to the variola virus (VARV). This knowledge deficit is evident in the performance of current medical countermeasures; vaccines and antiviral therapies adapted from smallpox programs demonstrate only partial efficacy and are constrained by issues of safety and suboptimal effectiveness against MPXV. In this context, the development of MPX-specific vaccines and antiviral drugs has become a critical priority in the global effort to combat MPX. However, MPXV employs multiple strategies to evade host immune responses, such as producing specific and poxvirus homologous proteins that suppress both innate immunity (including the six principal innate immune signaling pathways and antiviral strategies, notably the interferon [IFN] pathway) and adaptive immunity, thereby complicating vaccine and drug development. Insights from research on vaccinia virus (VACV) and VARV may inform the investigation of MPXV pathogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms. Drawing on relevant scientific literature, this review systematically examines key aspects of MPX infection, pathogenicity, and immune evasion, as well as the coordination between innate and adaptive immune responses. Furthermore, this review elucidates the current application and deployment landscape of the three principal therapeutics and three major vaccines for MPX, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for future research and development of vaccines and targeted antiviral agents. Full article

Background: Monkeypox (Mpox) is a re-emerging zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). Transmission occurs primarily through direct contact with lesions or contaminated materials, with sexual transmission playing a significant role in recent outbreaks. In 2022, Mpox triggered a major global outbreak and was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO), prompting renewed interest in effective control strategies. Methods: This study developed a compartmental SEIR-based model to assess the epidemiological impact of key interventions, including vaccination and isolation, while incorporating critical epidemiological parameters. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine (1) disease dynamics in relation to the basic reproduction number, and (2) how different parameters influence the curve of symptomatic infections. Real-world continental-scale data were used to validate the model and identify the parameters that most significantly affect epidemic progression and potential control of Mpox. Results: Results showed that the basic reproduction number was most influenced by the recovery rate, vaccination rate, vaccine effectiveness, and transmission rates of symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. In contrast, the progression of symptomatic cases was highly sensitive to the case fatality rate and incubation rate. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of integrated public health strategies combining vaccination, isolation, and early transmission control to mitigate future Mpox outbreaks. Full article

Background: Parvovirus B19 is the major cause of transient aplastic crisis in children with hereditary spherocytosis (HS) inhibiting erythropoiesis and leading to a severe drop in hemoglobin levels, requiring hospitalization and transfusional support. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the circulation of non-COVID respiratory viruses, such as parvovirus B19, initially declined but subsequently increased abruptly following the relaxation of containment strategies. Moreover, it remains unclear whether this has resulted in a rise in parvovirus B19-induced aplastic crises among individuals with HS. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study conducted at the Pediatric University Hospital of Bari (Italy) aims to describe the clinical characteristics and frequency of parvovirus B19-induced aplastic crises in pediatric patients with HS before and after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC, 30 January 2020–5 May 2023). The study was divided into four distinct periods: Period A: from 1 December 2018 to 31 December 2019, representing one year before the declaration of the PHEIC; Period B: from 1 June 2023 to 30 June 2024, representing one year after the cessation of the PHEIC; Period C: before 1 December 2018; Period D: from 1 January 2020 to 31 May 2023, which refers to the pandemic period. Results: A total of 30 patients (55% of the study population, n = 55) experienced a parvovirus B19-induced aplastic crisis. The frequency of these crises in Period B was significantly higher than in Period A (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study suggests a substantial increase in parvovirus B19-induced aplastic crises among children with HS following the COVID-19 outbreak indicating a potential impact of public health containment strategies on parvovirus B19 infection rates. Full article

Monkeypox virus (Mpox virus) is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus that has gained increased global attention due to recent outbreaks. The current review reports the latest update of Mpox cases from 25 February 2022 to 29 April 2025. It also evaluates the possible major complications in human life caused by Mpox. In early 2022, more than 40 countries reported Mpox outbreaks. As of 12 June 2024, the global case count for the 2022–2023 Mpox outbreak was 97,281 confirmed cases, in 118 countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Mpox virus, a zoonotic disease, a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on 14 August 2024. Mpox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, and face-to-body rashes. The review also highlights Mpox virus replication, genomics, pathology, transmission, diagnosis, and antiviral therapies. The 2022 outbreak is also discussed in detail. The coinfection of HIV in patients infected with Mpox is also discussed. The evolving Mpox epidemiology has raised concerns about the disease’s increasing spread in non-endemic countries, emphasizing the urgent need for control and prevention. The discussion on preventive measures, including vaccination, suggests that cross-protection against Mpox may be possible using orthopoxvirus-specific antibodies. Although there are no specific antiviral drugs available, certain drugs, such as tecovirimat, cidofovir, and ribavirin, are worth considering. Full article

Background: The recent resurgence of mpox in central Africa has been declared a new public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) requiring coordinated international responses. Vaccination is a priority to expand protection and enhance control strategies, but the vaccine’s need exceeds the currently available doses. Intradermal (ID) administration of one-fifth of the standard modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA-BN) dose was temporarily authorized during the 2022 PHEIC. Studies conducted before 2022 provided evidence about the humoral response against the vaccinia virus (VACV) after vaccination but not against the mpox virus (MPXV). Moreover, no data are available on the T-cell response elicited by MVA-BN administered subcutaneously or intradermally. Methods: We compare the two vaccine administration routes according to reactogenicity (n = 943) and immunogenicity (n = 225) of vaccine recipients attending INMI Spallanzani hospital during the 2022 vaccination campaign in Rome, Italy. Results: We found that the ID route elicited higher titers of MPXV-specific IgG (mean difference of 0.26 log₂, p = 0.05) and nAbs (0.24 log₂, p = 0.08) than the subcutaneous (SC) route one month after the complete vaccination cycle. At the same time, no evidence for a difference in cellular response was found. Conclusions: MVA-BN was globally well tolerated despite higher reactogenicity for the ID than the SC route, especially for the reactions at the local injection site. The ID dose-sparing strategy was proven safe and immunogenic and would make vaccination available to more people. Our data support the current WHO recommendation of using the ID route in low–medium-income countries (LMIC), although response data in people infected with the new 1b clade are urgently needed. Full article

The frequent occurrence of Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) has posed significant challenges to urban public health, economic, and social systems, exposing gaps in urban resilience. This study developed a dynamic urban resilience assessment framework against PHEIC based on the system dynamics method, integrating index analysis and the SEIR (susceptible–exposed–infectious–recovered) epidemiological model to investigate the interactions and dynamic evolution of urban subsystems in New York, Hong Kong, and Nanjing during the COVID-19 epidemic. The findings revealed significant differences in the response mechanisms and recovery capacities across subsystems. For example, the stringent lockdowns policy in New York curbed virus spread and heavily impacted economic activities; the “close to Dynamic zero of COVID-19” policy in Hong Kong demonstrated stronger resilience in balancing public health and economic recovery; the dynamic control measures in Nanjing China allowed for the rapid restoration of urban functions with minimal resilience fluctuations. Although strict control measures can effectively suppress disease spread, they can have profound economic and social impacts. More scientific strategies, such as those seen in Hong Kong and Nanjing, offer a more balanced approach to managing both epidemic control and urban function recovery, providing key insights for future PHEIC response strategies. Full article

Following the World Health Organization’s declaration that the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), COVID-19 remains an ongoing threat to human health and healthcare systems. Vaccination plays a crucial role in reducing the disease’s incidence, mitigating its severity, and limiting transmission, contributing to long-term public health resilience. However, incomplete vaccination coverage and vaccine hesitancy exist. This narrative review investigates strategies at the system and physician levels aimed at sustaining awareness and uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in a post-PHEIC era. Through an examination of the existing literature, this review explores the effectiveness of diverse approaches utilized by healthcare systems and individual providers. These approaches address every component of the 5C model of vaccine hesitancy: confidence, complacency, constraints/convenience, calculation, and collective responsibility. Physician-level approaches include appropriate message framing, persuasive communication containing safety and personal/social benefit information, sharing of personal stories, creating a safe space for discussion, harnessing co-administration with annual influenza vaccines, and use of decision aids and visual messages. System-level approaches include messaging, mass media for health communication, on-site vaccine availability, pharmacist delivery, healthcare protocol integration, incentives, and chatbot use. Full article

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared in a May 2023 announcement that the COVID-19 illness is no longer categorized as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC); nevertheless, it is still considered an actual threat to world health, social welfare and economic stability. Consequently, the development of a convenient, reliable and affordable approach for detecting and identifying SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging new variants is crucial. The fingerprint and signal amplification characteristics of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) could serve as an assay scheme for SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report a machine learning-based label-free SERS technique for the rapid and accurate detection and identification of SARS-CoV-2. The SERS spectra collected from samples of four types of coronaviruses on gold nanoparticles film, fabricated using a Langmuir–Blodgett self-assembly, can provide more spectroscopic signatures of the viruses and exhibit low limits of detection (<100 TCID₅₀/mL or even <10 TCID₅₀/mL). Furthermore, the key Raman bands of the SERS spectra were systematically captured by principal component analysis (PCA), which effectively distinguished SARS-CoV-2 and its variant from other coronaviruses. These results demonstrate that the combined use of SERS technology and PCA analysis has great potential for the rapid analysis and discrimination of multiple viruses and even newly emerging viruses without the need for a virus-specific probe. Full article