Historic smallpox vaccination and Mpox cross-reactive immunity: Evidence from healthcare workers with childhood and adulthood exposures.

In recent years, human mpox has made multiple resurges, prompting public health professionals to consider factors that lead to the increased risk for the reemergence of other orthopoxviruses. Due to the genetic similarity between orthopoxviruses, vaccinia vaccines used to prevent smallpox transmission are also indicated and have been used for mpox infection prevention and control. In this study, cross-reactive immunity for mpox was observed among individuals with self-reported history of smallpox vaccination.

The impact of COVID-19 mitigation measures on neonatal health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between COVID-19 mitigation measures and stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW), and preterm birth (PTB) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Study Design: Systematic review/meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched six databases for literature indexed from January 2020 to December 2022 for studies examining COVID-19 policies and neonatal outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mpox Vaccine Acceptance, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We report general acceptance (61.0%) of an mpox vaccine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo among 5,226 survey respondents. Healthcare workers and respondents in historic mpox-endemic regions had higher acceptance rates.

Clade I mpox virus genomic diversity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024: Predominance of zoonotic transmission.

Recent reports raise concerns on the changing epidemiology of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). High-quality genomes were generated for 337 patients from 14/26 provinces to document whether the increase in number of cases is due to zoonotic spillover events or viral evolution, with enrichment of APOBEC3 mutations linked to human adaptation. Our study highlights two patterns of transmission contributing to the source of human cases.

Political engagement: a key pillar in revitalisation of polio and routine immunisation programmes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Immunisation is a high priority for improving health outcomes. Yet, in many low-income and middle-income countries, achieving coverage targets independently is hindered by lack of domestic resources and reliance on partners' support. Both the 2001 Abuja Declaration and 2016 Addis Declaration were key political commitments to improving immunisation coverage; however, many signatories have yet to meet international targets.

Clinical health outcomes of Ebola virus disease survivors eight years post recovery: a cross-sectional study in Sierra Leone.

Background: The West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic that occurred between 2013-2016 resulted in >28,000 confirmed cases and >11,000 fatalities. Thousands of survivors necessitate an understanding of the long-term health effects and future medical needs of these patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 595 EVD survivors from Sierra Leone and 403 close contacts (=998).

Presumed Transmission of 2 Distinct Monkeypox Virus Variants from Central African Republic to Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We linked 4 mpox cases in South Ubangi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to transboundary transmission from Central African Republic. Viral genome sequencing demonstrated that the monkeypox virus sequences belonged to distinct clusters of subclade Ia. This finding demonstrates the borderless nature of mpox and highlights the need for vigilant regional surveillance.

Retrospective Seroprevalence of Orthopoxvirus Antibodies among Key Populations, Kenya.

We identified a cluster of mpox exposures among key populations in Kenya through retrospective serologic screening. We identified strong seropositivity among sex workers and gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. These findings demonstrate the need for increased mpox surveillance among mpox-endemic and mpox-endemic-adjacent regions in Africa.

Mpox Surveillance Based on Rash Characteristics - 13 Emergency Departments, United States, June-December 2023.

In 2022, a global mpox outbreak occurred, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM). To screen for mpox's reemergence and investigate potentially unsuspected cases among non-GBMSM, prospective surveillance of patients aged ≥3 months with an mpox-compatible rash (vesicular, pustular, ulcerated, or crusted) was conducted at 13 U.S.

NK Cell-Monocyte Cross-talk Underlies NK Cell Activation in Severe COVID-19.

NK cells in the peripheral blood of severe COVID-19 patients exhibit a unique profile characterized by activation and dysfunction. Previous studies have identified soluble factors, including type I IFN and TGF-β, that underlie this dysregulation. However, the role of cell-cell interactions in modulating NK cell function during COVID-19 remains unclear.

Poliovirus-Neutralizing Antibody Seroprevalence and Vaccine Habits in a Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Outbreak Region in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2018: The Impact on the Global Eradication Initiative.

Despite the successes in wild-type polio eradication, poor vaccine coverage in the DRC has led to the occurrence of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks. This cross-sectional population-based survey provides an update to previous poliovirus-neutralizing antibody seroprevalence studies in the DRC and quantifies risk factors for under-immunization and parental knowledge that guide vaccine decision making. Among the 964 children between 6 and 35 months in our survey, 43.

Co-Circulating Monkeypox and Swinepox Viruses, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022.

In September 2022, deaths of pigs manifesting pox-like lesions caused by swinepox virus were reported in Tshuapa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Two human mpox cases were found concurrently in the surrounding community. Specific diagnostics and robust sequencing are needed to characterize multiple poxviruses and prevent potential poxvirus transmission.

Nutritional Status Link with Polioseronegativity Among Children from Poliomyelitis Transmission High-Risk Area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Background: Malnutrition is identified as a risk-factor for insufficient polioseroconversion in the context of a vaccine-derived polio virus (VDPV) outbreak prone region. To assess the prevalence of malnutrition and its link to poliovirus insufficient immunity, a cross-sectional household survey was conducted in the regions of Haut- Lomami and Tanganyika, DRC.

Methods: In March 2018, we included 968 healthy children aged 6 to 59 months from eight out of 27 districts.

Prediction Model with Validation for Polioseronegativity in Malnourished Children from Poliomyelitis Transmission High-Risk Area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Background: Malnutrition is identified as a risk factor for insufficient polio seroconversion in the context of a vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) outbreak-prone region. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), underweight decreased from 31% (in 2001) to 26% (in 2018). Since 2004, VDPV serotype 2 outbreaks (cVDPV2) have been documented and were geographically limited around the Haut-Lomami and Tanganyika Provinces.

Strengthening immunization programs through innovative sub-national public-private partnerships in selected provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Background: Low immunization coverage rates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been reflective of challenges with vaccine access, support and delivery in the country. Motivated by measles and vaccine-derived polio virus (VDPV) outbreaks in 2016-17 and low vaccination rates, the provinces of Haut Lomami and Tanganyika were identified as pilot locations for an innovative approach focused on establishing a consortium of partners supporting local government. This approach was formalized through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Provincial governments in 2018.

The Human Mpox Global Outbreak: Available Control Tools and the Opportunity to Break a Cycle of Neglect in Endemic Countries.

The 2022 global outbreak of human Mpox (formerly monkeypox) virus (MPXV) infection outside of the usual endemic zones in Africa challenged our understanding of the virus's natural history, transmission dynamics, and risk factors. This outbreak has highlighted the need for diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, and implementation research, all of which require more substantial investments in equitable collaborative partnerships. Global multidisciplinary networks need to tackle MPXV and other neglected emerging and reemerging zoonotic pathogens to address them locally and prevent or quickly control their worldwide spread.