This month we’ve witnessed the global Avian flu outbreak, chocolates laced with salmonella, severe hepatitis of unknown cause among children, Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, the first Polio case in Mozambique in 30 years, and . . . a global outbreak of monkeypox. I partnered with Dr.
The Monkeypox threat further reinforces the need for a robust, data-driven disease monitoring system. We still have significant blindspots in the US (and the world) and a broad system would give us the vision we need to monitor and battle these pathogens.
I think “we” have learned. . . those of us who follow closely the reports of folks like Katelyn and her colleagues. I don’t think the collective “we” has learned anything, however. . .
I'm so happy this discussion on Monkeypox has come up. Final thoughts:. The poxviruses are well worth being on our radar and there is a newly identified chordopoxvirus, MN692191 tentatively called BPoPV, that might develop into a western hemisphere equivalent of monkeypox. Same dynamic of human encroachment and an animal carrier. Contagion possible through bushmeat, but no human cases so far...which bodes well. Genomic analysis in CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases Dispatch vol 27, no. 4.
As if we don’t already have enough to keep us up at night! Thank you for joining the conversation on Monkeypox. Personally, I feel as if Mother Nature is trying her darnedest to reduce the human population since we are the primary cause of her demise. . .
We call ourselves the apex species and we could even call this era the anthropocene as some propose, but to a micro biologist we are mere bystanders in a multi-biilion year old war between the phages and bacteria. A war that will be going on long after we've left the scene. Recommended reading: Merry Youle's. Thinking like a Phage, and Rhower, Youle, et al, Life in our Phage World, wonderfully informative as well as a work of graphic art.
Does the progression of the disease always lead to symptoms? If this thing were to become widespread, it is doubtful there will be much anti-mask sentiment.
Recommend to everyone W. A. Andiman's book on zoonoses, "Animal Viruses and Humans, a Narrow Divide" published in 2018; it is fairly current and he devotes an entire chapter to monkeypox. I have a copy and after re-reading the chapter feel somewhat relieved that it doesn't look like this thing (as it currently exists) will develop into a pandemic. But there is a disquieting passage on page 64 about poxvirus genetic recombination that suggests it has the potential to evolve from worrisome to alarming.
No, I was trying to ask if infection always led to rash or vesicles. If it did, it seems unlikely there would be a repeat of the insouciant and flippant attitude we have seen with covid 19.
Sadly, when it comes to some portions of the populace, a curmudgeonly stance, is entirely justified. I don't see how Walensky, Katelyn, et al, avoid becoming dispairing cynics!
To add ideas for interesting topics: 1. Public Health risks of nanoparticles. What we don't know may harm us. 2. PH risks of growing roster of antibiotic resistant "superbugs" 3. The empire strikes back: are we really done with smallpox, polio, etc.? You can't keep a good virus down. 4. Paleovirology, what does global warming portend in thawing out viral "blasts from the past" that our immune systems aren't ready for?
The Monkeypox threat further reinforces the need for a robust, data-driven disease monitoring system. We still have significant blindspots in the US (and the world) and a broad system would give us the vision we need to monitor and battle these pathogens.
Sadly, I think the answer to the question "Have we learned anything?" will be "No."
As Pogo said, "We have met the enemy and he is us!"
I think “we” have learned. . . those of us who follow closely the reports of folks like Katelyn and her colleagues. I don’t think the collective “we” has learned anything, however. . .
As Churchill said famously (and cribbing from Santayana) "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Listening to you right now on WNYC with Brian Lehrer! Great job!
I'm so happy this discussion on Monkeypox has come up. Final thoughts:. The poxviruses are well worth being on our radar and there is a newly identified chordopoxvirus, MN692191 tentatively called BPoPV, that might develop into a western hemisphere equivalent of monkeypox. Same dynamic of human encroachment and an animal carrier. Contagion possible through bushmeat, but no human cases so far...which bodes well. Genomic analysis in CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases Dispatch vol 27, no. 4.
For those of us who got smallpox vaccines in childhood 35-40 years ago, are we still protected?
As if we don’t already have enough to keep us up at night! Thank you for joining the conversation on Monkeypox. Personally, I feel as if Mother Nature is trying her darnedest to reduce the human population since we are the primary cause of her demise. . .
We call ourselves the apex species and we could even call this era the anthropocene as some propose, but to a micro biologist we are mere bystanders in a multi-biilion year old war between the phages and bacteria. A war that will be going on long after we've left the scene. Recommended reading: Merry Youle's. Thinking like a Phage, and Rhower, Youle, et al, Life in our Phage World, wonderfully informative as well as a work of graphic art.
Google "bat lyssaviruses." You'll never sleep again!
Hi Katelyn, My wife and I were vaccinated against small pox when we were kids 40 years ago. does this offer any protection?
probably not too much
thank you
Thank you very much for sharing this article it was really helpful. WB
This is very interesting thanks for sharing it. WB
Does the progression of the disease always lead to symptoms? If this thing were to become widespread, it is doubtful there will be much anti-mask sentiment.
I am afraid you underestimate human stubbornness!
Recommend to everyone W. A. Andiman's book on zoonoses, "Animal Viruses and Humans, a Narrow Divide" published in 2018; it is fairly current and he devotes an entire chapter to monkeypox. I have a copy and after re-reading the chapter feel somewhat relieved that it doesn't look like this thing (as it currently exists) will develop into a pandemic. But there is a disquieting passage on page 64 about poxvirus genetic recombination that suggests it has the potential to evolve from worrisome to alarming.
No, I was trying to ask if infection always led to rash or vesicles. If it did, it seems unlikely there would be a repeat of the insouciant and flippant attitude we have seen with covid 19.
Sadly, when it comes to some portions of the populace, a curmudgeonly stance, is entirely justified. I don't see how Walensky, Katelyn, et al, avoid becoming dispairing cynics!
I'll bring my bone whistle, bird head hood, bell and tumbrel
Thanks for this update. I was looking forward to it!
To add ideas for interesting topics: 1. Public Health risks of nanoparticles. What we don't know may harm us. 2. PH risks of growing roster of antibiotic resistant "superbugs" 3. The empire strikes back: are we really done with smallpox, polio, etc.? You can't keep a good virus down. 4. Paleovirology, what does global warming portend in thawing out viral "blasts from the past" that our immune systems aren't ready for?
I'm beginning to get a bit concerned with how widespread this thing is getting as of Saturday evening. Was there a superspreader event somewhere?
The tally's up to about 70 known cases now, mostly in various countries in Western Europe: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/05/20/monkeypox-germany-france-first-case/ I hope the public health authorities quickly figure out how it's spreading!