Global Health Crisis: Mpox and Emerging Health Issues

The latest health news covers Bavarian Nordic's EU approval request to extend the mpox vaccine to adolescents, the US FDA's nod for at-home syphilis tests, WHO's declaration of mpox as a global emergency, detection of polio in Gaza, and a health alert for Oropouche virus spread. Experts call for equitable vaccine distribution.

A Danish biotech company, Bavarian Nordic, has sought approval from the European Union to extend its mpox and smallpox vaccine to adolescents aged 12 to 17, as the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency.

The FDA approved the first at-home syphilis test, developed by NOWDiagnostics, which can deliver results in 15 minutes. Meanwhile, the Palestinian health ministry reported the first polio case in Gaza.

In Germany, an expert urged prioritizing mpox vaccines for affected regions in Africa, while Bavarian Nordic announced plans to increase vaccine production and coordinate with global agencies. Additionally, the US CDC raised alarms over the spread of the Oropouche virus in the Americas.

(With inputs from agencies.)