Texas A&M and University of Minnesota Progress Against Mpox

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Scientists working in a laboratory on treatments for mpox.

News Summary

Texas A&M University and the University of Minnesota are on a mission to develop new antiviral treatments for mpox, supported by a $3.8 million NIH grant. This disease, previously known as monkeypox, has been a growing public health concern since its outbreak in 2022, and the collaboration aims to create effective solutions against this serious viral threat and its variants.

Exciting New Breakthrough in the Fight Against Mpox!

College Station, Texas – Big news is coming out of the research world as Texas A&M University and the University of Minnesota have teamed up to tackle a pressing health issue: *mpox*, which is making headlines again. Thanks to a generous grant of $3.8 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these two educational giants are on a mission to create new antiviral treatments for this infectious disease, formerly known as *monkeypox*.

What’s the Buzz About Mpox?

So, what exactly is mpox? It’s a disease that can cause quite a bit of disruption in a person’s life by bringing about a noticeable rash and blisters. While many of us may think of mpox as something in the past, it exploded onto the world stage back in May 2022, when a global outbreak hit all 50 states in the U.S. Though it seems that things have calmed down in recent times, mpox remains a severe concern, especially in places like Central and Eastern Africa, where it’s endemic.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) paints a sobering picture, with reports showing over 29,000 cases and around 800 deaths linked to mpox through 2024. Experts suspect that the real figures might be even higher due to underreporting. Clearly, there’s a pressing need for better treatments to help those affected.

Research with a Purpose

At the helm of this ambitious project is Dr. Zhilong Yang, who is passionate about improving treatment options for individuals battling mpox. The aim of this grant project is to develop, optimize, and rigorously test three promising antiviral compounds against mpox.

Researchers will delve deep into each compound, dissecting how they function, fine-tuning their effectiveness against the virus, and ensuring they are safe for human use through extensive testing. This work couldn’t be more timely, especially considering that the World Health Organization (WHO) has twice declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in just the last two years. The first declaration was made during the 2022 outbreak, and the second came in August 2024 when a new outbreak erupted, linked to a stronger variant known as *Clade I*.

Understanding the Variants

During the previous outbreak, the strain involved was a weaker variant, called *Clade II*, with a remarkably low death rate of less than 1%. On the flip side, this new *Clade I* has a much more concerning death rate of up to 10%. Thankfully, conventional treatments mainly aimed at treating smallpox haven’t done their job effectively against mpox and can be tricky to access due to national stockpiling.

Why This Matters

This research is becoming a beacon of hope not only for those affected by mpox but also for understanding other viruses in the same family that could pose dangers down the line. By investing in treatments for mpox, researchers are also laying the groundwork for potential interventions against other zoonotic viruses – those pesky viruses that hop from animals to humans.

As Dr. Zhengqiang Wang from the University of Minnesota pointed out, this crucial research is about more than just mpox. It’s about preparing ourselves for whatever the future may hold regarding viral threats. And with the collaboration between these two institutions, we are surely inching closer to a solution that might alleviate the heavy burden of mpox once and for all.

Here’s to hoping that the groundbreaking work being done at Texas A&M and the University of Minnesota will pave the way for a healthier future for all!

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Additional Resources

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