As of the 23rd of May, the UK Health Security Agency has detected 70 cases of monkeypox in England, and Public Health Scotland has identified one case in Scotland. What does this mean for pwMS?
Many thanks for this info Prof. It does feel like there is doom around every corner at the moment when we should all be still riding the post-covid wave and remembering that we were all trapped at this time for the last couple of years. Any chance of a post to cheer us all up? Treatments on the horizon.....predictions for the next 10 years.....sadly there are a limited number of pwms who will read the barts blog and this newsletter thinking 'i am so glad i had HSCT or Alemtuzumab soon after diagnosis'. The majority are probably stuck on a maintenance DMT hoping to cling onto a normal life long enough for science to change our future. A little hope would be very well received on a gloomy Wednesday :-)
Thank you for this. I asked my hsct dr earlier about what to do if I get caught up in a ring vaccination episode. Normally live vaccine would be contraindicated till I'm 2 years post sct, but dr reckoned it might be given at 18months post if the virologist considered the risk of pox greater - provided I had no active gvhd.
My friend/neighbour is a close contact (she's an EM consultant) so we're not allowed to go on dog walks together! She's taking it pretty seriously and staying away from everyone - you can't assume people are not pregnant or immune compromised. We had theatre tickets for next weekend but we've managed to change them. I would assume the current vaccine stocks are still effective from the way she looked when I saw her yesterday... it hit her pretty hard! (I was dropping some paracetamol to her - rang the bell and retreated to the gate!)
At this time, there are no specific treatments available for monkeypox infection, but monkeypox outbreaks can be controlled.
Smallpox vaccine, cidofovir, ST-246, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) can be used to control a monkeypox outbreak. CDC guidance was developed using the best available information about the benefits and risks of smallpox vaccination and drug use for the prevention and management of monkeypox and other orthopoxvirus infections.
Many thanks for this info Prof. It does feel like there is doom around every corner at the moment when we should all be still riding the post-covid wave and remembering that we were all trapped at this time for the last couple of years. Any chance of a post to cheer us all up? Treatments on the horizon.....predictions for the next 10 years.....sadly there are a limited number of pwms who will read the barts blog and this newsletter thinking 'i am so glad i had HSCT or Alemtuzumab soon after diagnosis'. The majority are probably stuck on a maintenance DMT hoping to cling onto a normal life long enough for science to change our future. A little hope would be very well received on a gloomy Wednesday :-)
Thanks for that info Gavin
Thanks Prof G… very helpful and in time as always
Thank you for this. I asked my hsct dr earlier about what to do if I get caught up in a ring vaccination episode. Normally live vaccine would be contraindicated till I'm 2 years post sct, but dr reckoned it might be given at 18months post if the virologist considered the risk of pox greater - provided I had no active gvhd.
Very informative and helpful summary, thanks Prof G!
My friend/neighbour is a close contact (she's an EM consultant) so we're not allowed to go on dog walks together! She's taking it pretty seriously and staying away from everyone - you can't assume people are not pregnant or immune compromised. We had theatre tickets for next weekend but we've managed to change them. I would assume the current vaccine stocks are still effective from the way she looked when I saw her yesterday... it hit her pretty hard! (I was dropping some paracetamol to her - rang the bell and retreated to the gate!)
So if this becomes more prevalent then most of us are out of luck with the vaccines as they are all live.
I saw the issue with the B cell and IRT DMTs has there been any advice given or proposed for those on Tysabri or impacts?
I can't seem to see any details on treatments if this does spread
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/treatment.html
Treatment
Monkeypox and Smallpox Vaccine
Cidofovir and Brincidofovir (CMX001)
Tecovirimat (ST-246)
Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG)
At this time, there are no specific treatments available for monkeypox infection, but monkeypox outbreaks can be controlled.
Smallpox vaccine, cidofovir, ST-246, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) can be used to control a monkeypox outbreak. CDC guidance was developed using the best available information about the benefits and risks of smallpox vaccination and drug use for the prevention and management of monkeypox and other orthopoxvirus infections.