MNKYPOX Mpox (Monkeypox) clade 1b International Emergency Thread

Tristan

TB Fanatic
Army researchers contribute to the development of promising mpox vaccine
By Quentin JohnsonSeptember 20, 2024

FORT DETRICK, Md. — Research conducted by U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases scientists into a promising mpox vaccine has been featured in the prestigious scientific journal Cell, highlighting the institute’s commitment to protecting Warfighters against emerging deadly diseases.

USAMRIID’s team contributed to the design of the study, conducted the animal model studies and performed the immunoassay work, according to Dr. Jay W. Hooper, USAMRIID’s chief of molecular virology and a senior author of the article, “Comparison of protection against mpox following mRNA or modified vaccinia Ankara vaccination in nonhuman primates” published in the Sept. 4, 2024, issue of Cell.

The publication of the study findings is timely, as mpox continues to spread globally. More than 100,000 confirmed cases of mpox, including hundreds of deaths, have been reported across more than 120 countries from 2022 through mid-2024, according to the World Health Organization.

The study shows that while the mpox vaccine currently in use is effective, it has issues with cross-protection against similar viruses, incomplete immunity from mpox and adverse reactions. The new vaccine candidate, mRNA-1769, developed by Moderna, promises to address these shortcomings by using messenger RNA, or mRNA, to provide a more effective targeted approach to treating the disease.

“With the mRNA technology, we're able to produce a vaccine that gives quite potent responses with a very tolerable safety profile,” said Hooper, during an August 2024 interview with Cell Press.

The study found that mRNA-1769 lessened the symptoms and duration of the disease in animal models. This effectiveness means mpox patients could potentially see fewer symptoms such as less weight loss and lesions, according to the study.
The results also showed less viral shedding — spreading of the copied virus — in the blood and respiratory tract, which was a highlight of the study for Hooper.

“The most interesting finding was we confirmed what we had seen earlier with a DNA vaccine targeting mpox, and its protection against shedding of the virus from the throat swabs, which we have not seen with the MVA-based vaccines,” said Hooper.
Mpox is part of a larger group of viruses called orthopoxviruses, which includes smallpox and cowpox. The study found that mRNA-1769 has the potential to protect against those as well, a feature called cross-immunity, said co-first author Alec Freyn, a virology researcher at Moderna, during an August 2024 interview with Cell Press.

Cross-immunity is a key factor as it aligns with USAMRIID’s mission to defend against current and emerging biological threat agents for the protection of our Service Members, families and the nation.

“Improved orthopoxvirus vaccines are needed to strengthen our defenses against the threat posed by these viruses,” said Hooper.

As for future work and studies, Hooper said, the institute has done a lot of work with DNA vaccines against viruses of importance to the U.S. military and combining their strong preclinical expertise with the mRNA platform experience of the current industry could accelerate the development of vaccines for the Service Members.

Moderna’s mRNA-1769 vaccine is currently being assessed in a phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT05995275) to address the safety and immunogenicity of an mRNA-based orthopoxvirus vaccine.
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Collaborate with USAMRIID
Reference:
Cell, Mucker, Freyn, and Bixler et al., “Comparison of protection against Mpox following mRNA-1769 or MVA vaccination in NHPs” https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(24)00972-3
Disclaimer:
Animal Care and Use Statement: The study mentioned in the article was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, National Research Council, 2011 and The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The protocol was approved by the United States Army of Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases under an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, PHS Policy, and other Federal statutes and regulations relating to animals and experiments involving animals. The facility where this research was conducted is accredited by the AAALACi.



I've heard that song before...
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic

(fair use applies)


India reports first Mpox clade 1b case in Kerala: Sources
By Shalini Bharadwaj ANI
Updated: Sep 23, 2024 17:54 IST

Malappuram (Kerala) [India], September 23 (ANI): India has reported the first case of Mpox clade 1b from Kerala's Malappuram after a 38-year-old man who travelled from United Arab Emirates showed symptoms.

According to the official sources, this is the first Mpox clade 1b case.

"India reports first MPOX clade 1 case, which was reported from Kerala Malappuram last week. The patient is a 38-year-old man who travelled from the UAE; this is the strain after which WHO declared a public health emergency," sources said.

"The man had a fever and rash similar to chickenpox on his body, after which doctor get suspicious and sent sample for testing," they added.

However, this is the second case. Earlier, the first Mpox case was reported in Delhi but it was a clade 2 case.

Mpox clade 1b spreads rapidly. According to the World Health Organisation, this spreads "mainly through sexual networks and its detection in countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is especially concerning of the public health emergency of international concern (PHIC)."
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been a public health issue in parts of Africa for many years but resurfaced as a global concern in 2022.

Since January 1, 2022, Mpox cases have been reported to the WHO from 121 member states across all six WHO regions. The WHO Mpox report dated September 3, 2024, provides global data up to July 31, 2024. A total of 102,997 laboratory-confirmed cases and 186 probable cases, including 223 deaths, have been reported to the WHO.

In July 2024, 1,425 cases and six deaths were reported globally. More than half of these cases were from the African region (55 per cent), followed by the American region (24 per cent), and the European region (11 per cent). The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) reported 1 per cent of the total cases.
 

helen

Panic Sex Lady
No surprise here.


Ex-NYC COVID czar details in secret recording how to use media to ‘spin’ monkeypox drug stories

Dr. Jay Varma of NYC details using media to 'spin' Mpox drug stories about
nypost.com

New York City’s disgraced former COVID czar, Dr. Jay Varma, has been caught seemingly admitting that he used the media to “spin stories” about a monkeypox drug manufactured by his former employer, SIGA Technologies Inc.

The comments were revealed in a highly edited trailer for part two of a series of secretly recorded conversations with a so-called undercover operative from conservative podcaster Steven Crowder’s “Mug Club.”

The edited clips of Varma, released Wednesday, were reportedly filmed on a hidden camera and were recorded between July 27 and Aug. 14 in New York.

New York City’s disgraced ex-COVID czar, Dr. Jay Varma, has been caught seemingly admitting that he used the media to “spin stories” about a monkeypox drug. Michael AppletonVarma speaks about the monkeypox outbreak and drug treatment developed by SIGA. stevencrowder/youtube

The Post has not reviewed the full, unedited recordings.

In the latest video, Varma — who previously served as senior health adviser to then-Mayor Bill de Blasio and was tasked with running the Big Apple’s pandemic response — described the Food and Drug Administration approval process while discussing SIGA Technologies’ “tecovirimat,” or “TPOXX” drug.

“That’s why spinning it in the media is helpful. We want the FDA to approve our drugs, specifically for monkeypox, and right now it’s only considered experimental and they won’t approve it,” he said.
In the US, TPOXX is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of Mpox but can be used to treat patients as part of a clinical trial known as the Study of Tecovirimat for Human Mpox Virus (STOMP), according to SIGA Technologies.
The company’s website added that the STOMP trial is being conducted to evaluate the efficacy of TPOXX for the treatment of Mpox.

Varma then griped in the video filmed on Aug. 14 that his then-employer is “stuck with our drug” but people aren’t going to be “as confident in it because the data doesn’t look as strong as it should.”

Then-NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio holds a media availability alongside senior adviser Dr. Jay Varma on March 2, 2021. Michael Appleton
“Sometimes you do a study, and this f—ing … nothing works at all, or people get really sick from it,” he said in the covert recording.

“The problem is, if you do another study, it’ll take a year or two to do it, because you have to get ethics approval, you gotta get money, you gotta get patients to come in.”

In the videos, Varma then gloated about how he “knows the reporters well,” and referenced a September interview with the New York Times on Mpox, which touted TPOXX as a drug used to treat Mpox infection.

Varma also described the World Health Organization’s “emergency authorization” process before explaining how he wants the media to report on TPOXX.

In the videos, Varma explains the “complicated process” of getting FDA approval. stevencrowder/youtubeVarma griped that his then-employer is “stuck with our drug” but people aren’t going to be “as confident in it because the data doesn’t look as strong as it should.” stevencrowder/youtube

“So basically what we’re trying to get the media to say is, ‘Oh, the drug didn’t work because it was designed the wrong way. So they’re going to do another study, and it’ll probably work’ and in the meantime, people just prescribe it as an emergency drug. That’s what we want the story to be,” he said in the edited clip.

Varma added that the risk of Mpox spreading in the US is “very low” and is “almost certainly going to stay among gay men.”

“[Mpox] basically got into the sexual networks of gay men … and a lot of gay men have tons and tons of sexual partners and often don’t use condoms, so as a result, it’s spread more easily,” said the doctor, who previously boasted about hosting 10-person sex parties during the pandemic.

The identity of the woman Varma was speaking to — or where he met up with her — wasn’t clear. The nature of their relationship also wasn’t clear.
The New York Post front cover for Sept. 20, 2024, featured Dr. Varma.

Varma had been working as the executive vice president and chief medical officer for SIGA before he was fired without cause this week.
It’s unclear whom he reported to at the company at the time the videos were recorded and whether his comments in the footage led to his dismissal.
Varma has maintained that the first release of the covert videos — in which he admitted his wild partying during the pandemic — were “taken out of context” and declined to comment on the second release.

In September last year, SIGA touted Varma as an “invaluable asset” to the company as it “worked to support the global response to the Mpox outbreak.”

The Post has contacted SIGA Technologies for comment.
 

helen

Panic Sex Lady
For the stock market crowd.


Disinfection Solution Used by Norwegian Proved Effective Against Monkeypox - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News

Disinfection Solution Used by Norwegian Proved Effective Against Monkeypox - Cruise Industry News
cruiseindustrynews.com

EcoloxTech has announced that its eco-friendly hypochlorous acid (HOCL) disinfection systems have been proven effective against the monkeypox virus.

In a joint press release with Norwegian Cruise Line, the companies said that the partnership, which started in 2016, puts Norwegian at the forefront of integrating sustainable and innovative sanitation practices.

Recent studies have shown that HOCL is highly effective against threats from emerging pathogens, including the monkeypox virus,
strengthening the cruise line’s commitment to passenger safety, the release said.

It added that the hypochlorous acid (HOCL) disinfection systems have seen continued success since being introduced, replacing a range of conventional chemicals, such as chlorine, peroxide-based cleaners and other solvents and detergents supplied by bulk chemical manufacturers.


“These chemicals, while effective in sanitizing, presented several challenges: they required PPE to handle, were costly to transport and, in some cases, caused damage to the vessels’ interiors,” the companies said.

After a notable incident that caused significant damage to the ship’s furnishings, Norwegian Cruise Line began to explore alternatives for sanitation.


EcoloxTech’s HOCL technology emerged as the ideal choice, the press release said, noting that, unlike traditional chemical disinfectants, the product is produced on-site using simple electrolysis equipment.

Now implemented across Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, the system has led to significant operational efficiencies, including a drastic reduction in shipping costs and the elimination of the need to store conventional sanitizing chemicals onboard, the companies added.

Another advantage of HOCL is its environmental friendliness, the release highlighted. As an entirely non-toxic solution, the product is said to break down into a simple saline solution after use, leaving no harmful residues.

“This aligns perfectly with Norwegian’s commitment to sustainability, offering a powerful, effective, and eco-conscious approach to sanitation,” the release said.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
I don't think mpox spread as widely or quickly as they wanted it to, and that's why we see Marburg raising its ugly head.
A shut down for Marburg . . . I should've added that. Yes, I think Mpox has dropped out of their narrative.
 

psychgirl

TB Fanatic
Yes, I did. Another thing to be concerned about right now . . . it seems like they want to hit the US with 3 - 4 different threats at once.
Yep.
Lessee

We’ve got:

Hurricane disaster of massive proportions.

Major shipping strike that could/will lead to shortages and another union threatening to strike.

Mpox clade 1b spreading.
We are Being overrun with violent illegals all across the country.

New Covid waves along with an early flu season
Not to mention, the serious threat of WW 111 any minute.

Now, we have a deadly incurable disease like Marburg spreading.

All within one month of the election.

“Happy Fall” :(
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


WHO approves first mpox diagnostic test
AFP
October 4, 2024

The UN health agency said on Friday that it had approved the use of the first diagnostic test for mpox, a key tool in countries battling outbreaks.

More than 800 people have died across Africa from mpox, where the disease has been officially detected in 16 countries, according to the African Union's disease control center.

"The approval for emergency use" of the test "will be pivotal in expanding diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where the need for quick and accurate testing has risen sharply", the World Health Organization said in a statement.

The test, called the Alinity m MPXV assay and manufactured by Abbott Molecular Inc., enables the detection of the mpox virus from swabs taken from human lesions.

"By detecting DNA from pustular or vesicular rash samples, laboratory and health workers can confirm suspected mpox cases efficiently and effectively", the WHO said.

"Limited testing capacity and delays in confirming mpox cases persist in Africa, contributing to the continued spread of the virus", it said.

The approval of the test "represents a significant milestone in expanding testing availability in affected countries," the statement quoted Yukiko Nakatani, an assistant director-general of WHO, as saying.

"Increasing access to quality-assured medical products is central to our efforts in assisting countries to contain the spread of the virus and protect their people, especially in underserved regions", Nakatani said.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.

It causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions, and can be deadly.
 

Heliobas Disciple

TB Fanatic
(fair use applies)


U.S. NIAID and Harvard Study Reveals Antibodies from Jynneos Mpox Vaccine Wane After 6 to 12 Months
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team
Oct 05, 2024

A recent study led by researchers from the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Harvard University has uncovered significant findings regarding the durability of the immune response from the Jynneos Mpox vaccine. The study revealed that antibodies developed from the vaccine, also known as the Modified Vaccinia Ankara - Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN), tend to diminish between six to twelve months after vaccination. This Medical News report dives deeper into these important findings, exploring what they mean for long-term protection against Mpox.


The Importance of Vaccine Durability

The Jynneos Mpox vaccine, produced by Bavarian Nordic, was a critical tool during the 2022 outbreak of the Mpox virus, previously known as monkeypox. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had recommended its use, and it became a primary defense strategy during the pandemic. However, with limited vaccine supplies, the dosage was adjusted, moving from a standard 0.5 mL subcutaneous dose to a smaller 0.1 mL intradermal dose. Although both dosages were shown to generate a similar immune response, researchers were interested in determining the long-term effectiveness of these doses, especially as the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency regarding the Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in August 2024.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the durability of immune protection in people vaccinated with Jynneos in 2022. Specifically, the study sought to measure antibody levels and overall immunity over a one-year period, assessing whether these protective elements remained strong or if they started to wane.


Methodology of the Study
The research, conducted between August 2022 and October 2023, involved 45 participants from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, and NIAID in Bethesda, Maryland. These individuals either received one or two doses of the Jynneos vaccine or had a confirmed diagnosis of Mpox during the 2022 outbreak. Serum specimens were collected from these participants at regular intervals: baseline, three weeks after vaccination (considered peak immunity), and then at three, six, nine, and twelve months.

Antibody levels were measured against several Mpox antigens known to provide protection in animal models. Additionally, T-cell responses, which are another critical aspect of immune defense, were also evaluated. The results from these measurements formed the basis of the study’s conclusions about the durability of immunity from the vaccine.


Key Findings: Waning Immunity

One of the most striking revelations from this study was the clear decline in antibody levels over time. In participants who received two doses of the vaccine, antibody levels peaked three weeks after the final dose but showed a marked reduction by the twelve-month mark. Specifically, antibody responses to key Mpox antigens - M1R, B6R, A35R, A29L, and H3L - dropped considerably. For instance, antibodies to the M1R antigen, which started at a baseline of 28, peaked at 112 three weeks after vaccination but then dropped to just 38 at the twelve-month mark.

A similar pattern was observed in participants who received only one dose. Their antibody levels also peaked at three weeks but demonstrated a more significant decline, reaching near-baseline levels by twelve months.

Additionally, the study found that serum neutralizing antibodies, which are crucial for blocking virus infection, were minimal at three months for both one-dose and two-dose recipients. In contrast, participants who had naturally contracted the virus exhibited much higher and more sustained levels of these neutralizing antibodies, suggesting that natural infection may provide more robust long-term immunity.


T-Cell Responses: A Low Contribution to Long-Term Immunity

T-cells are another important part of the immune system, capable of identifying and destroying virus-infected cells. However, this study found that both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses were low at nine months post-vaccination. In participants who received either one or two doses, these responses were minimal, indicating that the vaccine's ability to stimulate long-lasting cellular immunity might be limited.


Implications of the Study

The study's findings have raised important questions about the long-term effectiveness of the Jynneos Mpox vaccine. Given the waning antibody levels, especially after just six to twelve months, there are concerns that individuals who were vaccinated during the 2022 outbreak may now have reduced protection against Mpox. This could increase their risk of reinfection if they encounter the virus again.

The research also highlights the need for potential booster doses to maintain a sufficient level of immunity. Given that natural infection seems to provide more lasting immunity, additional vaccine doses might be necessary to mimic the immune response seen in those who have contracted Mpox. This need for booster shots is particularly important for individuals who are at higher risk of exposure to the virus, such as healthcare workers and those living in areas with active outbreaks.


Limitations of the Study
While the study provides valuable insights, the authors caution that its conclusions are limited by certain factors. For example, the study had a relatively small sample size, and the participants were not randomly selected. This could mean that the findings might not be fully representative of the broader population. Additionally, the observational nature of the study means that there is still much to learn about how well the vaccine performs over time in different demographic groups and regions.

Larger-scale studies with more diverse participant groups will be needed to confirm these findings and to better understand how the vaccine performs over longer periods and in various settings.


Conclusion

The research conducted by NIAID and Harvard University provides critical information about the Jynneos Mpox vaccine’s effectiveness over time. The evidence that antibodies wane within six to twelve months suggests that individuals vaccinated in 2022 may need booster shots to maintain adequate protection. This information is particularly relevant as Mpox continues to pose a global health threat, especially in regions with ongoing outbreaks. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of continued monitoring of vaccine efficacy and the need for larger studies to confirm these findings.

The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

 
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