Mpox in Egypt: Status, preparedness and looming challenges

Background: Monkeypox (Mpox) is a zoonotic disease endemic in many countries of West and Central Africa with a trend of global spread due to its high contiguity. The emerging new clade of Monkeypox virus (MXPV), its swift spread in eastern the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the reports...

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Main Authors: Zeiad Khedr, Mohamed Diab, Mohamad Khedr, Hala Mead, Yasmeen Mourad, Rehab El-Sokkary
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Zagazig University, Faculty of Medicine 2025-08-01
Series:Microbes and Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_390151_8ad69dc6e8fa80d9aea26342ac53eea1.pdf
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author Zeiad Khedr
Mohamed Diab
Mohamad Khedr
Hala Mead
Yasmeen Mourad
Rehab El-Sokkary
author_facet Zeiad Khedr
Mohamed Diab
Mohamad Khedr
Hala Mead
Yasmeen Mourad
Rehab El-Sokkary
author_sort Zeiad Khedr
collection DOAJ
description Background: Monkeypox (Mpox) is a zoonotic disease endemic in many countries of West and Central Africa with a trend of global spread due to its high contiguity. The emerging new clade of Monkeypox virus (MXPV), its swift spread in eastern the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the reports of cases in several neighboring countries are alarming and worrisome. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern. In this narrative review, we present the microbiological features of MXPV, the status of Mpox, as well as the preparedness and the challenges that face the Egyptian health authorities. we concluded that while there are no current indications that the virus is headed towards Egypt, the interconnectedness of today’s world presents ongoing risks. To prevent the spread of the virus into Egypt, the Health Ministry has raised the alert level to the highest. However, with limited resources and competing healthcare demands, they face significant challenges. To address these vulnerabilities, it is recommended that Egyptian health authorities enhance early detection systems at key entry points, such as airports and border crossings, increase public awareness campaigns on Mpox, and establish emergency stockpiles of vaccines and antiviral treatments. Collaborative efforts with neighboring countries and international donors can also strengthen regional surveillance networks and improve Egypt's overall readiness to manage potential outbreaks.
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publisher Zagazig University, Faculty of Medicine
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spelling doaj-art-765dc840653b40ecb4db3e724d6558d12025-08-20T03:59:16ZengZagazig University, Faculty of MedicineMicrobes and Infectious Diseases2682-41322682-41402025-08-016397297810.21608/mid.2024.323347.2245390151Mpox in Egypt: Status, preparedness and looming challengesZeiad Khedr0Mohamed Diab1Mohamad Khedr2Hala Mead3Yasmeen Mourad4Rehab El-Sokkary5Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig National UniversityPlant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, EgyptPlant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, EgyptPlant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, EgyptPublic Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, EgyptDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, EgyptBackground: Monkeypox (Mpox) is a zoonotic disease endemic in many countries of West and Central Africa with a trend of global spread due to its high contiguity. The emerging new clade of Monkeypox virus (MXPV), its swift spread in eastern the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the reports of cases in several neighboring countries are alarming and worrisome. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern. In this narrative review, we present the microbiological features of MXPV, the status of Mpox, as well as the preparedness and the challenges that face the Egyptian health authorities. we concluded that while there are no current indications that the virus is headed towards Egypt, the interconnectedness of today’s world presents ongoing risks. To prevent the spread of the virus into Egypt, the Health Ministry has raised the alert level to the highest. However, with limited resources and competing healthcare demands, they face significant challenges. To address these vulnerabilities, it is recommended that Egyptian health authorities enhance early detection systems at key entry points, such as airports and border crossings, increase public awareness campaigns on Mpox, and establish emergency stockpiles of vaccines and antiviral treatments. Collaborative efforts with neighboring countries and international donors can also strengthen regional surveillance networks and improve Egypt's overall readiness to manage potential outbreaks.https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_390151_8ad69dc6e8fa80d9aea26342ac53eea1.pdfmpoxpreparednessemerging and re-emergingpublic health emergencyafrican union
spellingShingle Zeiad Khedr
Mohamed Diab
Mohamad Khedr
Hala Mead
Yasmeen Mourad
Rehab El-Sokkary
Mpox in Egypt: Status, preparedness and looming challenges
Microbes and Infectious Diseases
mpox
preparedness
emerging and re-emerging
public health emergency
african union
title Mpox in Egypt: Status, preparedness and looming challenges
title_full Mpox in Egypt: Status, preparedness and looming challenges
title_fullStr Mpox in Egypt: Status, preparedness and looming challenges
title_full_unstemmed Mpox in Egypt: Status, preparedness and looming challenges
title_short Mpox in Egypt: Status, preparedness and looming challenges
title_sort mpox in egypt status preparedness and looming challenges
topic mpox
preparedness
emerging and re-emerging
public health emergency
african union
url https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_390151_8ad69dc6e8fa80d9aea26342ac53eea1.pdf
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AT rehabelsokkary mpoxinegyptstatuspreparednessandloomingchallenges