Photo : Augustin Mudiayi/Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières via AP
By Advik S Mohan
Special updates on Mpox:
WHO declares Mpox a global health emergency; Europe and Africa to collaborate
On 14 August, Euronews informed that the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the Mpox outbreak in Africa as a global health emergency. According to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, the detection of a new and more dangerous Mpox variant poses a significant global threat. The organization has stated that it requires 15 million USD to support Africa’s Mpox response. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the epicentre of the current outbreak, with the new strain spreading through close and sexual contact. Over 14,000 cases and over 500 deaths related to Mpox have been reported across Africa in 2024, considered to be an undercount due to lack of testing. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have also declared Mpox to be a continental public health emergency, and the fear is that the disease could further spread due to poor health infrastructure and limited manufacturing capability in Africa. The European Commission’s pandemic preparedness group and Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic have promised to send vaccine shots to Africa, which the CDC says will be given based on the extent of the outbreak in a country and risk-levels for vulnerable groups like pregnant women. The WHO has also requested countries and international groups to donate shots from their own stockpiles. African and European health authorities are working together to expand Mpox testing and tracking in Africa, with the European Commission expected to invest EUR 3.5 million. The present outbreak comes over two years after a similar public health emergency was declared in July 2022. (Gabriela Galvin, “WHO declares Africa’s Mpox outbreak a global health emergency as new outbreak spreads ,” Euronews, 14 August 2024)
THE EU
Rising costs pose a risk to EU pensions
On 16 August, Deutsche Welle reported the threat to the European pension systems posed by increasing costs. The European Union (EU) faces a demographic timebomb, with a third of its population expected to be over the age of 65 by 2050. The rapidly ageing population has led to greater spending on pensions, which has reached up to 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in some countries. Some European countries like France have introduced controversial measures to deal with the problem, such as raising the retirement age. Additionally, millions of people are not saving enough in their private or occupational pensions to complement their state pensions. The Eurobarometer public opinion survey’s 2023 data showed that only 23 per cent of EU residents have an occupational pension scheme, and only 19 per cent own a personal pension product. 39 per cent of respondents are not saving for retirement, as per the survey of the Insurance Europe trade body. The ones who save have also received low returns on their investments, owing to factors like high inflation, high fees, poor asset allocation and lack of transparency in pension products. The EU introduced the Pan-European Personal Pension Product (PEPP) which allows workers to build up an EU-wide portable additional pension. However, only Slovakia has rolled out the scheme so far, due to the complicated and restrictive nature of the scheme. Workers are also demanding more flexibility in their investments and retirement age, with cheap and easy mobile investment apps an increasingly popular option. (Nik Martin, “Aging Europe: Rising costs threaten EU pensions,” Deutsche Welle, 16 August 2024)
DENMARK
Bavarian Nordic says 10 million Mpox jabs possible by 2025 end
On 15 August, Paul Chaplin, CEO of Danish biotechnology company Bavarian Nordic said that 10 million Mpox vaccine doses can be provided by the end of 2025. Chaplin said in remarks to Bloomberg: “We have inventory and we have the capabilities, What we’re missing are the orders.” The remarks come as African nations deal with a fresh outbreak of the Mpox virus, which has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) stated that 10 million doses are required to deal with the outbreak. Bavarian Nordic and the European Commission have donated over 200,000 doses to Africa, and Chaplin stated that 300,000 more doses are ready for immediate shipment. In preparation for a potential outbreak, several European countries hold Mpox vaccine stockpiles. The European Union had signed a contract for two million vaccine doses in November 2022, while the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) ordered Bavarian Nordic to refill its vaccine stocks. (Rory O’Neill, “Bavarian Nordic says it can supply 10M Mpox jabs by end of 2025,” Politico, 15 August 2024)
FRANCE
Marcon ally Gabriel Attal poses threat to President says opinion in Politico
On 15 August, Politico reported on the potential disagreements between Emmanuel Macron, President of France and Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal. The article brought out how after Marcon’s shock decision to call snap parliamentary elections, leaders from his party had rallied behind Attal. Leaders worried that Marcon’s unpopularity would hurt their own electoral chances; and supported Attal, who was appointed as France’s youngest Prime Minister only a few months back. Marcon’s centrist alliance lost one-third of their seats in the election, but finished ahead of the far-right National Rally. In this scenario, Attal took control of Renaissance, the main centrist parliamentary group. Baptiste Dupont, a researcher for polling group believed that Attal has maintained his popularity by distancing himself from Macron’s unpopular decision to dissolve parliament. Dupont said: “The role of villain fell on the shoulders of the president.” Attal has reached out to leaders of other parliamentary groups and met Olympic athletes, boosting his profile as a leader. However, Attal’s desire to lead both the parliamentary group and the party has led to criticism. An anonymous Renaissance MP said, “There’s no better way to get burned than trying to control everything at once.” ( Victor Goury-Laffont and Clea Caulcutt, “Macron protégé Gabriel Attal turns into biggest threat to president,” Politico, 15 August 2024)
GERMANY
German Green leader Habeck declares intent to run for Chancellor
On 15 August, Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action indicated he would run for the post of Chancellor of Germany in a Politico interview. Habeck, the present Vice-Chancellor of Germany said on the Berlin Playbook podcast, “I would like to take on the responsibility.” With Annalena Baerbock, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and leader of The Greens party stating she would not run for Chancellor, Habeck had been considered as the most likely Greens candidate for Chancellor. Habeck faces the unenviable task of recovering the popularity lost by the Greens since the last German federal election in 2021. Frictions between the current German ruling coalition over the budget have escalated tensions and infighting. Habeck acknowledged these issues in the interview, saying: “It’s quite obvious that this coalition has major problems finding common ground. The ideas are falling apart.” However, Habeck expressed optimism that a draft budget would be agreed upon, and warned of the danger of rising populism in Germany. (Gordon Repinski and Nette Nostlinger, “Germany’s Habeck signals he’ll run for chancellor,” Politico, 15 August 2024)
First female astronaut to be sent in the first human spaceflight
On 14 August, SpaceX, the private space exploration company stated that the first German woman astronaut would fly into space. Rabea Rogge, a robotics researcher who studied electrical engineering and information technology; has been selected to be a part of the Fram2 mission on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, alongside four other astronauts. In a tweet on X, Rogge said, “I’m really looking forward to the research and getting some cool projects off the ground.” The mission will be the first human spaceflight over the Earth’s poles and is expected to take place in late 2024. Purple lights at the Earth’s polar regions will be examined closely during the visit, which SpaceX stated would also produce the first X-ray images of humans in space. The mission is the latest in a series of increasing private space tourism visits. (“First German woman set to fly into space with SpaceX,” Deutsche Welle, 14 August 2024)
Water supply sabotage suspected at military base in Cologne
On 14 August, a German military base close to Cologne airport was temporarily sealed off, due to suspicions of the water supply being sabotaged. A spokesperson for the Bundeswehr, the German military said, “As the drinking water was showing unusual values, the drinking water supply in the barracks was cut off.” Reports by news website Der Spiegel informed that the German police and the Military Intelligence Service were jointly investigating the incident. The Cologne-Wahn military base employs around 4300 soldiers and over 1000 civilian forces, while command authorities and civilian departments of the German military are also based there, according to Der Spiegel. It also serves as a crucial transit hub for Ukrainian soldiers trained in Germany. The incident comes after Nancy Faesar, German Federal Minister of the Interior and Community had warned about potential cyberattacks conducted by adversaries like China, Russia and Iran. According to The Wall Street Journal, Russian saboteurs aiming to disrupt arms shipments to Ukraine launched an arson attack on a metal factory belonging to arms manufacturer Diehl. At the same time, there were reports that a military base for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the city of Gelsenkirchen in North-Rhine Westphalia had been sealed off. Nette Nostlinger and Stuart Lau, “German authorities suspect water supply sabotage on military base,” Politico, 14 August 2024)
SWEDEN
First case of severe Mpox strain reported in Sweden
On 15 August, Sweden reported a case of the more severe clade I variant of Mpox. The Public Health Agency of Sweden stated that the variant was diagnosed in an individual who was in Stockholm after being infected in a virus-affected area of Africa. According to the Agency, this is the first case of the more severe clade I variant being detected outside Africa. However, the agency said that the patient’s treatment “does not affect the risk to the general population.” The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, the second time in the past two years. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called for a coordinated international response to stop the outbreaks and save lives. (Lauren Chadwick, “ Sweden reports first case of more severe Mpox strain,” Euronews, 15 August 2024)
Euronews reports on public health guide to Mpox
On 15 August, Euronews published a public health guide to the Mpox virus, which is spreading again. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox was first detected in monkeys utilized for research, but human cases have been common too. The virus is endemic to central and western Africa. The virus has two variants; the more severe Clade I and Clade II. However, a new variant named clade ib spreading through sexual networks has sparked concern. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDCs) stated that suspected Mpox cases in Africa this year have crossed 17,000, with the number believed to be an undercount due to limited testing. Symptoms of Mpox include rashes on multiple parts of the body which resemble pimples or blisters, fever, headache, chills, muscle and back pain etc. according to public health authorities. Close contact with an infected person especially sexual contact is how the virus commonly spreads, although direct contact with infected wild animals is also a method through which it spreads. Jaime Garcia-Iglesias, a chancellor’s fellow at the Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society at the University of Edinburgh hailed the World Health Organization (WHO)’s declaration of Mpox as an emergency, stating it would galvanize governmental action and provide increased funding for research and diagnostics. Garcia-Iglesias emphasized on the need for proper public health messaging regarding the virus, deeming governmental engagement with community organizations as essential. Experts have also urged governments not to hoard vaccines.(Lauren Chadwick, “What is Mpox, how does it spread and why has it been declared a global health emergency?,” Euronews, 15 August 2024)
THE UK
UK doctors vigilant despite low Mpox risk
On 15 August, the BBC informed that UK health chiefs were making plans to deal with a potential Mpox virus outbreak in the country, despite a low risk. The Mpox has been declared as a global health emergency, and healthcare workers in the UK are being made aware of the virus symptoms and the need for rapid testing. There are no confirmed cases of the Clade 1b variant of Mpox in the UK, but experts are warning that cases could spread. Deputy director at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) informed that plans to prepare for cases were underway, including ensuring that clinicians can recognize cases promptly, rapid testing is available and protocols are developed for treating infected patients and preventing onward transmission. Children, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women are at higher risk of Mpox. The UK had witnessed a large outbreak in May 2022, curbed through large-scale vaccination. In 2024, 239 Mpox cases have been reported in the UK up till July. 225 of these are in England, with 98 patients presumed to have been infected in the UK and 74 outside. (“Mpox risk low but UK medics on alert,” BBC, 15 August 2024)
UKRAINE
Government claims no involvement in Nord Stream pipeline attacks
On 15 August, the Government of Ukraine denied any involvement in a 2022 attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. This came a day after it was claimed that authorities in the German capital of Berlin had issued an arrest warrant, in connection with the attack. Volodymyr Z, a Ukrainian national is alleged to have hired a German yacht to bring explosives and diving equipment to the location of the pipelines. While Volodymyr Z is believed to have had accomplices, no links with the Ukrainian government have been confirmed. Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of Office of the President of Ukraine claimed that only Russia possessed the knowledge and expertise required to carry out the Nord Stream bombings. The German government has been accused of carrying out the investigation slowly by the governments of both Ukraine and Poland, with Volodymyr Z’s departure to Ukraine from Poland cited as a failure of the German authorities to inform on time. Jorg Schmitt, an investigative journalist part of the team issuing the warrant stated that right now, it seemed as if Ukraine had been involved in the attacks. (“Nord Stream pipeline sabotage: Ukraine denies involvement,” DW News, 15 August 2024)