The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the ongoing mpox outbreak is now classified as a global public health emergency for the second consecutive time. This statement, made on August 14, 2024, shows how worried people are about the virus.
What is Mpox
Mpox, sometimes known as monkeypox, is a viral illness that can spread from animals to people and between humans. Although it is similar to smallpox, the symptoms are usually milder. Common symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, sometimes leading to serious consequences.
Reasons for Global Health Emergency Declaration
The decision to declare a global health emergency was made by a significant increase in mpox cases, mostly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African regions. This revival poses serious risks to public health and global health security.
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The World Health Organization’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted, “The rise in mpox cases is a compelling reminder that pathogens know no borders,” emphasizing the need for global cooperation to fight this infectious illness.
Current Data on Mpox (2024)
Recent data from the WHO’s situation report, released on August 12, 2024, reveals numerous figures about the mpox outbreak.
1.About 14,000 cases have been reported in the DRC so far this year.
2.Globally, 934 new laboratory-confirmed cases were recorded in June 2024.
3.India has documented 27 verified cases and one linked fatality from January 2022 to June 2024.
4.Sexual contact remained the most common means of transmission, accounting for 83.8% of all cases.
A new virus variant has evolved, increasing transmission rates in African countries. From January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024, 99,176 cases of pox were confirmed worldwide, with 208 deaths reported. The WHO urges countries to boost their surveillance capacities, improve diagnostic tests, and ensure healthcare systems are prepared to handle new cases.
Public Health Implications
Governments are encouraged to launch public awareness campaigns to educate people about mpox hazards and prevention options. Travel advisories may also be established for regions facing major epidemics to limit the spread.
The WHO categorizes mpox as a global public health emergency is an important step in fostering international cooperation to control and eventually eliminate this re-emerging threat.
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