Cross-Border Science Media Café on the spread of Mpox

Date: Tuesday, 13th August 2024 Venue: Virtual Time: 11:00 AM – 1 PM Nairobi EAT

Participants Overview: The Science Café was well attended, with an average of 50 participants, including science journalists from Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Latin America, public health specialists, and representatives from Kenya and Uganda Governments, WHO and UNICEF.

Key Highlights:

1. Introduction and Setting the Pace 
   • Led by Violet Otindo (MESHA, Kenya Café Convenor), Esther Nakkazi, HEJNU – Uganda Café Convenor) and Tole Nyatta – Moderator, Internews, the session began with a brief overview of the objectives and importance of discussing Mpox’s evolving situation in the region.

2. Mpox in Uganda – Numbers, Surveillance, and Spread 

1. • Dr. Henry Kyobe, Mpox Incident Commander from Uganda’s Ministry of Health, shared current data on Mpox cases in Uganda, surveillance efforts, and how the virus is spreading across borders.
   • Questions were raised about the effectiveness of current surveillance systems and the need for cross-border collaboration to curb the spread of the virus.
   • Col. Lugonzo, from the Ministry of Defense (KDF) HQ, Kenya attended to learn from the  session

3. Common Perceptions and Frequently Asked Questions about Mpox 

Rocio Lopez and Elsa Maria Karam, Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA), WHO. 

1. • discussed the public’s common misconceptions about Mpox, such as the nature of its spread and symptoms.

The session concluded with a discussion of the top priorities for addressing the virus in the region, including enhancing communication strategies and community engagement to dispel myths

4. Insights on Mpox Virus Mutation and Public Health Implications 

1. • Dr Michel Muteba, a Public Health Specialist and Epidemiologist from WHO provided an in-depth analysis of the reasons behind the mutation of the Mpox virus and its potential implications for public health in East and Southern Africa.
   • Participants expressed concerns over the rapid mutation and its impact on vaccine efficacy and virus transmissibility.

Participant Engagement:

• The Q&A session saw active participation, with questions focused on the regional response strategy, vaccine distribution, and the role of media in combating misinformation.

Here are some key questions that emerged from the discussion in the Cross-Border Science Cafe on the Mpox Virus:

1. Severity and Mortality of the New Clade:
   • How serious is the new Clade 1b? What’s the case fatality rate? (Sonny Krishnan)

2. Common Symptoms and Mortality Rates:

1. • What are the common symptoms of Mpox, and what is the morbidity or mortality rate for patients? (Nicholas Bwalya)

3. International Emergency Declaration:

1. • Is the declaration of an emergency of international concern just for Clade I or both Clade I and II? (ASOCIACION NACIONAL DE INFORMADORES DE SALUD)

4. Risk Factors and Conditions:

1. • Are there any risk factors for Mpox? In what conditions does the disease thrive? (Juliet Makwama)

5. Regional Alertness:

1. • Should the rest of Africa be on alert regarding Mpox, especially the countries neighboring the DRC? (Juliet Makwama)

6. Reporting on Mpox and MSM Risk Groups:

1. • It seems men who have sex with other men (MSM) are a major risk group for Mpox. How can the media report on Mpox without making it seem like an MSM problem? (Michael Gwarisa)

7. Transmission and Vaccination:

1. • How does one contract the disease, and is there a vaccine for Mpox? (Doreen)

8. Current Mpox Cases:

1. • How many people have tested positive, and from which countries? (Edith Mwiinga)

9. Challenges in Combating Misinformation:

1. • What challenges have been faced in combating misinformation about Mpox, and how are they being addressed? What are the most common misconceptions about Mpox that you would like to correct? How can health experts improve communication with the public to build trust and ensure compliance with health guidelines? (Bunmi Yekini)

10. Incidence in Burundi:

1. • What is driving the incidence of Mpox in Burundi, particularly? (Esther Nakkazi)

11. WHO Interventions:

1. • What interventions is WHO putting in place to support government responses to Mpox? Are there regional response mechanisms by governments that WHO is working with? (Nicholas Bwalya)

12. Social Listening and Misinformation:

1. • Does social listening also show who is fact-checking information, for example, by the Nigerian pastor and the Tanzanian journalist? (Esther Nakkazi)

13. Emerging Disease of Concern:

1. • Could Mpox be classified as another emerging disease of concern that African countries should be on the lookout for? (Thetiwe A. Mweemba)

14. Potential Mpox Cases in Tanzania:

1. • Is it possible that Tanzania has no cases, or is it a replay of what happened during COVID-19? (Esther Nakkazi)

15. End of Mpox:

1. • Is there any hope that Mpox will come to an end? (Prince Kintu)

16. Mpox Vaccine Safety:

1. • How safe is the Mpox vaccine for pregnant women? (Nicholas Bwalya)

17. Mpox Transmission Through Sexual Contact:

1. • Can people be informed that apart from washing hands and avoiding touching a person with Mpox, they should also use condoms now that Clade 1B is mostly transmitted through sex? (Judith Akolo)

18. Availability of Mpox Vaccines in Africa:

1. • Should journalists advocate for pharmaceutical companies to make Mpox vaccines available to African countries as they have done for the West? (Adelebaleta)

Participants’ concerns were mainly about the severity, spread, and public communication surrounding the Mpox virus, with a strong emphasis on regional preparedness and the challenges of addressing misinformation.

Conclusion

The Science Cafe successfully facilitated a robust exchange of information and ideas, underscoring the importance of continued collaboration among journalists, public health experts, and regional organizations in addressing the Mpox virus.