Monkeypox WHO declares highest alert over outbreak
Monkeypox WHO declares highest alert over outbreak: The World Health Organization has determined that the current outbreak of monkeypox constitutes a global health emergency.
The categorization, which is the highest alert that the WHO can give, came after an increase in reported cases all around the world.
It was announced after the conclusion of the second meeting of the emergency committee on the virus that is part of the WHO.
According to the director general of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, there have now been more than 16,000 cases recorded from 75 different countries.
He also mentioned that there had been five fatalities so far as a direct result of the outbreak.
At the moment, there are only two previous instances of such a health emergency: the ongoing fight to eradicate polio and the widespread spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Tedros stated that the emergency committee had been unable to come to a decision regarding whether or not the epidemic of monkeypox could be considered a global health emergency.
On the other hand, he stated that the outbreak had rapidly spread over the world, and he had concluded that it was, in fact, a matter of international concern.
Dr. Tedros stated that there was an insufficient amount of knowledge on the novel modes of transmission that had allowed it to proliferate.
He continued by saying, “The World Health Organization’s opinion is that the danger of monkeypox is moderate worldwide and in all regions, with the exception of the European region, where we estimate the risk as high.”
According to him, while there was a definite risk of future international spread, the risk of interfering with international traffic remained minimal for the time being. There was also a risk of additional worldwide spread.
Dr. Tedros believes that the declaration will assist speed up the process of developing vaccines and putting into action measures that will limit the virus’s ability to spread.
In addition, the WHO is disseminating recommendations in the hopes that they will encourage countries to adopt preventative measures to halt the spread of the virus and safeguard those who are most vulnerable.
According to what Dr. Tedros had to say, “This is an outbreak that can be controlled with the appropriate tactics in the appropriate groups.”
He stated that the instances were now concentrated among males who had sex with other men, particularly those who had several sexual partners, and that countries needed to take policies that safeguarded the health, human rights, and dignity of people affected by the disease.
He stated that stigma and discrimination can be just as harmful as any infectious disease.
In the 1950s, the monkeypox virus was found for the first time in central Africa.
There have been over 2,000 cases of the disease that have been confirmed in the UK.
Officials in charge of public health are already proposing that persons who are at the highest risk of exposure to monkeypox should be administered a vaccine. These individuals include some gay and bisexual men, as well as certain healthcare workers.
Initial symptoms often consist of a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a blistery, chickenpox-like rash or lesions; in recent occurrences, these lesions have frequently appeared on the lips or genital areas. In most cases, infections are not severe.
A significant action that should not be ignored is the declaration of a worldwide emergency.
It is a call to action for nations to take the virus seriously, it increases awareness all throughout the world, and it can assist less developed nations in acquiring the instruments they require to keep monkeypox under control.
In theory, we do have the means to halt the spread of the virus. We already have a vaccine (originally designed for smallpox) that provides adequate protection against monkeypox, and the disease does not spread as rapidly as covid.
Although anyone has the potential to become infected with monkeypox, the majority of reported cases have been found in gay and bisexual males, as well as other men who have intercourse with other men.
This can make it simpler to contain the outbreak, as measures, such as immunizations and information on public health, will be able to be directed toward people who are at the greatest risk.
Keep in mind, however, that there are still nations in which having sexual relations with someone of the same gender is against the law, and that the fear of being persecuted can be a barrier to receiving assistance.
Whether or whether we are able to stop the spread of monkeypox is an issue that is as much about our society and culture as it is about the virus itself.
