The first recorded case of a deadlier strain of the mpox virus outside of Africa has underlined the need for the international community to be on high alert over the threat posed by the outbreak.
Sweden reported its first case of mpox clade 1 variant on Thursday, considered a more dangerous type of virus that is passed on via human contact, rather than primarily sexual transmission in previous outbreaks.
Pakistan's Health Ministry on Friday confirmed one patient had contracted the virus, but they did not yet know the strain of the virus.
So far, more than 550 people have died from mpox in Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the outbreak was initially reported, but has since spread to other areas of Central and East Africa.
This is a test not only for the international sphere but specifically for African countries and African governments
Dr Richard Lessells,
infectious diseases specialist, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
Sylvie Jonckheere, a Brussels-based emerging infectious diseases adviser for Medecins Sans Frontieres, has been working in impacted communities in DRC and Burundi.
“The situation is diverse as mpox is a known entity in many parts of DRC, the problem is the sheer number of cases that have increased dramatically this year, which is beyond anything we have seen before,” Ms Jonckheere told The National.
“Teams there are overwhelmed by the number of patients they need to care for, while in Goma [in DRC] and Burundi it is a new entity, so these areas are more vulnerable.
“We don’t really have a playbook for those regions, so we don’t know what is going to happen. Access to vaccines is paramount to control this outbreak, and that is very slow.”
Fear and mistrust
Ms Jonckheere said fear and mistrust in areas previously untouched by mpox was proving a barrier to providing effective health advice.
Meanwhile, China has began monitoring people entering the country from areas impacted by the outbreak, its customs administration said.
For the next six months, all goods and passengers will be checked, with vehicles and containers arriving from areas with mpox sanitised.
Dr Javier Guzman, director of global health policy and senior policy fellow at the Centre for Global Development think tank in Washington, urged caution against imposing blanket travel restrictions.
“The declaration of an international emergency is a signal for all countries to report their own cases of mpox, through monitoring and surveillance systems,” he said.
“Case definitions should be updated and harmonised as new data emerge, with heightened surveillance, case detection, and contact tracing.
“Travel restrictions should be limited to individuals showing signs and symptoms of mpox, those who are suspected, probable, or confirmed cases, or those identified as contacts of a Mpox case under health monitoring.
“It's crucial to avoid blanket international travel measures that could discourage countries from transparently reporting new cases.”
Deadlier strain
The current outbreak of mpox has several key differences from previous incidents, including the 2022 outbreak, which was also categorised as a public health emergency of international concern.
In 2024, a new, deadlier strain of the mpox virus has become more adept at human-to-human transmission and is not confined to a specific segment of the population and is spreading rapidly beyond the DRC.
While recent public health emergencies, including Covid-19, taught multiple lessons in how to respond to viral outbreaks, challenges remain.
“African countries are struggling to mobilise the necessary funds to deploy medical countermeasures, including vaccines,” Dr Guzman said.
“Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance’s US$500 million First Response Fund is available, but remains non-operational because it requires WHO emergency use listing for mpox vaccines, despite these vaccines already being approved by well-resourced regulatory authorities. This process needs to be updated.
“Despite advancements in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, African countries affected by the outbreak still require additional resources and support to contain it effectively.”
In a landmark step, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention agency declared a public health emergency of continental security, a sign that African institutions would lead and co-ordinate the response.
Two vaccines have been approved for emergency use by the WHO.
MBABN, is a two-dose regimen with a US FDA approval recommended in adults; and LC16 produced in Japan has local regulatory approval recommended for both adults and children.
To date, about 200,000 vaccine doses have been made available, well short of the 10 million required.
Further resources are urgently needed to enhance surveillance, laboratory testing, and contact tracing efforts in affected countries, experts said.
The new clade 1b mpox strain results in whole body rashes as well as genital lesions in some cases, with about five per cent mortality in adults, and 10 per cent in children.
Vulnerable nations
Due to poor infrastructure, poverty and high migration there are huge challenges in containing the disease along the DRC border with Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda.
On July 24 2024 the Uganda Virus Research lnstitute confirmed two cases of mpox from six samples received from Bwera Hospital, Kasese District.
The two cases were a 37-year-old female market vendor, who also operated a hair saloon at Mpondwe border point and is married to a Congolese man, and a 22-year-old Congolese pregnant woman from Bunywisa, who was seeking antenatal care in Bwera hospital.
Both women have recovered and been discharged without complications.
Uganda has 17 districts that share a border with DRC, where the majority of mpox cases have been reported.
Uganda’s Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Ocero called on cross-border collaboration with neighbouring countries to ramp-up health surveillance.
“This is the first time mpox has been confirmed in Uganda. Since then, no new cases linked to the two cases have been confirmed.
“To date, a total of 42 samples have been collected from suspect cases, and all tested negative by PCR.
“Mpox transmission in Eastern DRC is expanding rapidly due to regular cross-border human interactions between our two countries for trade, culture and social reasons.
“This means the risk of importation into Uganda remains high.”
Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic hopes European approval for its mpox vaccine for children aged 12 to 17 can help curb new mpox infections that cause skin lesions, fever and aches after physical contact between humans.
The vaccine is currently only approved for adults over 18.
International response
Dr Richard Lessells, an infectious diseases specialist at the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in Durban, South Africa, said vaccines are just part of the containment solution.
“The reality is we just don't have any certainty about this phenotype, whether the virus itself is more transmissible, or whether it's just that the mode of transmission has changed,” Dr Lessells told The National.
“We don't even have good data on how effective the vaccine is against the clade 1 virus.
“This has been a public health emergency for a long period of time in Central Africa.
“It's fairly predictable what is happening as we've got a huge population of susceptible people under 40 unvaccinated against smallpox.”
The Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian network said far more diagnostic kits, treatments and vaccines need to be shipped to Africa to respond adequately to the outbreak.
Failing to control the virus at source risks worsening the global problem, Dr Lessells said.
“If you don't control the problem at its source, then it becomes of international concern,” he said. “By allowing things to progress, it is now a much bigger challenge to control.
“This is a test not only for the international sphere but specifically for African countries and African governments to commit funding and resources to to deal with this outbreak.”
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
UAE Premiership
Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes
Final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, Friday, March 29, 5pm at The Sevens, Dubai
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rusty%20Cundieff%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJosh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Morgan%20Freeman%2C%20Greg%20Germann%2C%20Lovie%20Simone%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
