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Emergence and public health implications of the Akhmeta virus: Insights and recommendations

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Last updated: 04 May 2025

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Tags

Medical virology

Abstract

Background: Global health concerns have arisen following the discovery and emergence of the akhmeta virus (AKMV) in Georgia. The first two cases of AKMV infection, a novel orthopoxvirus, in 2013, diagnosed among two cattle herders, prompted scientific research into the cause, dynamics of transmission, and clinical signs of the infection. Advancements in genomic technology, particularly regarding genomic characterization, have revealed distinct traits and potential recombination events, shedding light on this organism's evolutionary history and pathogenicity. The characteristic skin lesions and systemic signs of AKMV infections make identification and treatment difficult. An adequate understanding of the natural history and transmission mechanisms is imperative to enact strategic infection prevention measures. More so, immunization, monitoring, and early case identification, backed up by a high index of suspicion, are crucial in mitigating the progression of isolated outbreaks into large-scale epidemics. The disease management modalities must prioritize primary prevention and biohazard combat measures. Concurrently, proactive measures for the prompt development of precision antiviral agents are being instituted to abate further public health harm. To address stigma and foster inclusivity, the disease taxonomy and nomenclature for AKMV should be aligned with WHO guidelines on disease classification and terminology. Mitigating the impact of AKMV and other emerging infectious illnesses on public health requires proactive measures like vaccination, surveillance, and research into antiviral medicines. The role of relevant stakeholders, such as the government, researchers, and healthcare practitioners, is pivotal to combating the potential threat posed by the AKMV.

DOI

10.21608/mid.2024.286144.1925

Keywords

AKMV, Orthopoxvirus, Emerging Virus, Disease surveillance, Public Health Implications

Authors

First Name

Olalekan

Last Name

Okesanya

MiddleName

John

Affiliation

Department of Public Health and Maritime Transport, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece

Email

okesanyaolalekanjohn@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

0000-0002-3809-4271

First Name

Olawunmi

Last Name

Amisu

MiddleName

Blessing

Affiliation

Department of Medical Laboratory Services, State Hospital, Ede, Osun State.

Email

olawunmiblessing123@gmail.com

City

Osogbo

Orcid

0000-0002-6647-5696

First Name

Emery

Last Name

Manirambona

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda

Email

manemery1@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

0000-0002-0579-3607

First Name

Jerico

Last Name

Ogaya

MiddleName

Bautista

Affiliation

Department of Medical Technology, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines, Center for University Research, University of Makati, Makati, Philippines

Email

jericoogaya13@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

0009-0005-3595-8643

First Name

William

Last Name

Chung

MiddleName

K

Affiliation

Department of Biology, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA

Email

williamchung1221@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

0009-0005-7457-0772

First Name

Don

Last Name

Lucero-Prisno III

MiddleName

Eliseo

Affiliation

Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom, Research and Development Office, Biliran Province State University, Naval, Leyte, Philippines

Email

don-eliseo.lucero-prisno@lshtm.ac.uk

City

-

Orcid

0000-0002-2179-6365

First Name

Bonaventure

Last Name

Ukoaka

MiddleName

Michael

Affiliation

Department of Internal Medicine, Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria

Email

bonaventureukoaka@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

0009-0000-9367-2612

First Name

Mohamed

Last Name

Ahmed

MiddleName

Mustaf

Affiliation

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia

Email

momustafahmed@outlook.com

City

-

Orcid

0009-0006-5991-4052

First Name

Nimat

Last Name

Idris

MiddleName

Bola

Affiliation

Department of Public Health, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Email

nbidris@alhikmah.edu.ng

City

-

Orcid

0009-0007-5237-4249

First Name

Inibehe

Last Name

Okon

MiddleName

Ime

Affiliation

Department of Research, Medical Research Circle (MedReC), Bukavu, DR Congo

Email

inibeheokon3@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

0009-0003-8275-5713

First Name

Gilbert

Last Name

Eshun

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Agona-Asamang, Ghana

Email

gilberteshun8a@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

0000-0002-9836-0834

First Name

Cecilia

Last Name

Ogunlayi

MiddleName

Aderonke

Affiliation

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Email

omoade333@gmail.com

City

-

Orcid

0009-0002-7275-9713

Volume

6

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

55370

Issue Date

2025-05-01

Receive Date

2024-04-30

Publish Date

2025-05-01

Page Start

531

Page End

539

Print ISSN

2682-4132

Online ISSN

2682-4140

Article File

MID_Volume 6_Issue 2_Pages 531-539.pdf

PDF . 518.3kB

Link

https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_360932.html

Detail API

http://journals.ekb.eg?_action=service&article_code=360932

Order

10

Type

Review Article

Type Code

1,160

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Microbes and Infectious Diseases

Publication Link

https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Emergence and public health implications of the Akhmeta virus: Insights and recommendations

Details

Type

Article

Created At

04 May 2025