FDA Update on U.S. Mpox Outbreak

Topic: Mpox Virus
Author: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Published: 2022/07/31 - Updated: 2024/08/23
Publication Type: Announcement - Peer-Reviewed: Yes
Contents: Summary - Definition - Introduction - Main - Related

Synopsis: FDA update and its multipronged response to mpox in the United States, including its diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics efforts. Mpox is generally not fatal and typically resolves on its own without treatment. The current outbreak in the U.S. usually presents as a rash on the body, face, or genital area. Although there is a shallow risk of dying, there have been reported complications, including severe pain, at times requiring hospital admission.

Defining 2022 U.S. Mpox Outbreak

2022 U.S. Mpox Outbreak: The U.S. CDC is tracking an outbreak of mpox that has spread across several countries that don't usually report mpox, including the United States. The mpox virus spreads mainly through close, intimate contact with someone who has mpox. You can take steps to prevent getting mpox and lower your risk during sex. CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to mpox and people who are at higher risk of being exposed to mpox. If you have any symptoms of mpox, talk to your healthcare provider, even if you don't think you had contact with someone who has mpox. CDC is urging healthcare providers in the United States to be alert for patients with rash illnesses consistent with mpox - (cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/response/2022/index.html)

Introduction

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an update on its multipronged response to mpox in the United States, including its diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics efforts. The agency has also established a dedicated website to provide important information about the FDA's ongoing regulatory activities related to mpox, along with frequently asked questions. The FDA will provide updates as developments occur and will continue to work with federal public health partners and industry to ensure timely access to all available medical countermeasures.

Main Digest

"The FDA has been closely tracking reports of mpox transmissions in the United States with our federal public health partners and coordinating preparedness efforts accordingly," said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. "We understand that while we are still living with COVID-19, an emerging disease may leave people feeling concerned and uncertain, but it's important to note that we already have medical products in place, specifically an FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of mpox disease and an FDA-cleared diagnostic test. The FDA is using the full breadth of its authorities to make additional diagnostics and treatments available. We will continue collaborating with our partners across all sectors to expand accessibility to countermeasures and bolster the tools in our arsenal as appropriate."

The mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as the variola virus, which causes smallpox (a virus that has been eradicated globally). Both mpox and smallpox fall into the category of "orthopoxviruses." Mpox is generally not fatal and typically resolves on its own without treatment. The current outbreak in the U.S. usually presents as a rash on the body, face, or genital area. Although there is a shallow risk of dying, there have been reported complications, including severe pain, at times requiring hospital admission.

Continued below image.

Mpox virus created in Blender as 3D-Art according to the scientific presentation but with an artistic approach. — Mpox virus created in Blender as 3D-Art according to the scientific presentation but with an artistic approach - Image Credit: Samuel F. Johanns from Pixabay.

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Diagnostics

Since the first case of mpox in the U.S. was detected, the FDA has been working with commercial laboratories and manufacturers to make mpox tests more readily available to consumers who need them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an FDA-cleared non-variola orthopoxvirus test that can detect mpox by a swab from a mpox lesion (rash or growth). At this time, this is the only FDA-cleared test. The FDA lacks clinical data supporting other sample types, such as blood or saliva, for mpox virus testing. In July 2022, the FDA issued a safety communication advising people to use swab samples taken directly from a lesion when testing for the mpox virus..

The CDC offers the FDA-cleared mpox test throughout many laboratories, including the CDC's public health Laboratory Response Network. In addition, federal public health authorities have worked with industry to make the test available through five large commercial laboratories. The agency is working closely with the CDC to increase the production of its FDA-cleared test, and the FDA has cleared the use of additional reagents and instruments to increase the throughput of the CDC test.

The FDA will continue to work with the diagnostic community to augment access to accurate testing to support the response.

Vaccines

In 2019, the FDA approved the JYNNEOS Vaccine to prevent smallpox and mpox in adults 18 years of age and older determined to be at high risk of infection. JYNNEOS is the only vaccine approved for the prevention of mpox in the United States. Although clinical trials and data are limited because of the small number of cases until now, the immunological response to vaccine administration is consistent with the effective prevention of the disease.

Following the emerging public health crisis closely, the FDA was aware that there were close to 800,000 doses of this vaccine pending release this fall following approval of additional manufacturing capabilities at one of the plants where the vaccine is made. With this in mind, the agency worked with HHS partners and expedited submitting the required application for the company's manufacturing changes to make these doses available to those in need. After accelerating the timeline for an inspection of the plant from fall to earlier this month, the FDA has finished its evaluation of the required information to validate product quality and has determined that the vaccine meets its quality standards.

On July 26, the agency approved a supplement to the biologics license for the JYNNEOS Vaccine to allow for additional manufacturing capabilities at the facility. Given the emerging public health need, the FDA previously facilitated the shipment of manufactured doses to the U.S. to be ready to be distributed once the manufacturing changes were approved. With the supplement approval, those manufactured doses may now be further distributed and administered. Additional doses manufactured at this plant can help address the need for this vaccine moving forward.

Therapeutics

There is no FDA-approved or authorized medicine for the treatment of mpox disease; however, TPOXX (tecovirimat), an antiviral medication, is being made available through the CDC. Under an FDA authority called Expanded Access or "compassionate use." The FDA continues to work with the CDC to streamline their Expanded Access Program for mpox to facilitate access.

There are currently no human data demonstrating the efficacy of TPOXX for the treatment of mpox or the safety and pharmacokinetic profile (which helps us understand what the human body does to a drug). Although an expanded access program is available, conducting randomized, controlled trials to assess TPOXX's safety and efficacy in humans with mpox infections is essential.

The FDA has more information on TPOXX's approval for smallpox under the "Animal Rule" regulations on its mpox webpage.

Related Information

Attribution/Source(s):

This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and published on 2022/07/31 (Edit Update: 2024/08/23), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be contacted at fda.gov. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Cite This Page (APA): U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2022, July 31 - Last revised: 2024, August 23). FDA Update on U.S. Mpox Outbreak. Disabled World. Retrieved September 13, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/monkeypox/outbreak.php

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