#ExpertSpotlight: Mpox - are we ready?

Mpox is in the news and we have leading experts here to help with your coverage.

Aug 15, 2024

2 min

As global health continues to navigate the challenges of infectious diseases, the re-emergence and spread of Monkeypox (now known as Mpox) underscores the ongoing threat posed by zoonotic viruses. This topic is critical not only because of its public health implications but also due to the broader issues it raises concerning global preparedness, vaccination strategies, and the socio-economic impact of outbreaks. The resurgence of Mpox, particularly in non-endemic regions, highlights the need for vigilant public health measures and cross-border cooperation to contain its spread. As the world remains focused on preventing another global health crisis, Mpox serves as a pertinent reminder of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Key story angles include:

Vaccination strategies and public health response: Explore how different countries are deploying vaccines to control Mpox, and the challenges faced in achieving widespread immunity.
Global health security and disease surveillance: Investigate the effectiveness of international disease surveillance systems in detecting and responding to outbreaks like Mpox, and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The role of zoonotic diseases in global pandemics: Examine the origins of Mpox as a zoonotic disease, and the broader implications for how human activities are influencing the spread of diseases from animals to humans.
Impact on marginalized communities: Discuss how Mpox disproportionately affects marginalized populations, including those with limited access to healthcare, and the importance of equitable health interventions.
Public communication and misinformation: Analyze the role of media and public health authorities in communicating accurate information about Mpox, combating misinformation, and educating the public about prevention and treatment.
Economic implications of outbreaks: Examine the economic impact of Mpox outbreaks, particularly in regions where tourism, trade, and healthcare resources are significantly affected by public health crises.

By addressing these angles, journalists can provide critical insights into the multifaceted impact of Mpox on global health, public safety, and socio-economic stability, contributing to a more informed and prepared public.

Connect with an expert about Mpox:

To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com

Photo Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

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Nov 7, 2026

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Oct 29, 2026

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3 min

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Few diseases carry the historical weight of plague. Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, plague has been responsible for some of the deadliest disease outbreaks in recorded history. The most infamous was the Black Death of the 14th century, which swept through Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and killed tens of millions of people. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 50 million people died in Europe alone. But plague is not simply a disease of the past. The bacterium continues to circulate naturally among wild rodents and their fleas in parts of the world, and human cases still occur. The World Health Organization reports that most cases recorded between 2019 and 2025 occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar. What Is Pneumonic Plague? There are three primary forms of plague: bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic. Bubonic plague - historically the best-known form - usually develops following the bite of an infected flea and is characterized by painful, swollen lymph nodes known as “buboes.” Pneumonic plague occurs when Yersinia pestis infects the lungs. It can develop when untreated bubonic or septicemic plague spreads to the lungs, or when someone inhales infectious respiratory particles from a person or animal with pneumonic plague. That distinction is important: pneumonic plague is the only form of plague that can spread directly from person to person through respiratory particles. What Are the Symptoms? Pneumonic plague can progress remarkably quickly. According to the CDC, symptoms include fever, headache and weakness followed by rapidly developing pneumonia. Patients can experience shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing, sometimes producing bloody or watery mucus. Symptoms following inhalation can begin as soon as one day after exposure. Without treatment, pneumonic plague is extremely dangerous. The World Health Organization describes untreated pneumonic plague as invariably fatal, making rapid recognition and medical intervention critical. From Medieval Killer to Treatable Disease What separates plague today from the disease that devastated populations centuries ago is modern medicine. Plague is a bacterial infection and can be successfully treated with antibiotics. The CDC recommends beginning treatment as soon as plague is suspected rather than waiting for laboratory confirmation. Depending on the severity of the illness, treatment can involve intravenous or oral antibiotics, with gentamicin and fluoroquinolones among the first-line treatments used in the United States. Early detection matters enormously. Modern antibiotics, infection-control practices, surveillance and public-health responses mean that a disease once capable of devastating entire communities can now be identified, contained and treated. Yet its persistence also offers an important reminder: diseases that profoundly shaped human history do not necessarily disappear. Plague remains present in animal populations, continues to cause human infections and provides researchers with a remarkable window into the relationship between infectious disease, human behaviour, public health and even human evolution. Experts in infectious diseases, epidemiology, public health, microbiology, global health, medicine and the history of disease can help provide perspective on pneumonic plague, how it spreads, the risks it poses and what centuries of experience with plague can teach us about preventing and responding to outbreaks today. Connect with our experts today: View all of your experts here at www.expertfile.com

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