What is Mpox and why WHO has declared the outbreak a Global Health Emergency?

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared mpox a global public health emergency as cases of the viral infection continue to spread, especially across African countries. The current outbreak is caused by a new strain of the virus that is spreading quickly along the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is ¡°the most dangerous yet¡±, says the WHO.

"Today, the Emergency Committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice"-@DrTedros #mpox https://t.co/yy4JsGgUXy pic.twitter.com/MHx2caxAhd

¡ª World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) August 14, 2024

CREDIT: AP

Mpox spreading across Africa

According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, thirteen countries across the continent have reported mpox cases in 2024. Over 17,000 suspected mpox infections and more than 500 deaths have been reported in Africa this year, which is an increase of 160% compared to the same period last year.

¡°The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,¡± Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.

Also read: Explainer: How Is This Mopox Outbreak Different From Earlier Ones

Mpox decalged health emergency for second time

This was the second time in two years the WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency.

For the second time in two years, @WHO has declared #mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

This time, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to several countries in the WHO African Region.

The first time an mpox PHEIC was¡­ pic.twitter.com/mJ877NbVxc

¡ª Hans Kluge (@hans_kluge) August 14, 2024

The first time was in 2022, when cases of mpox were also reported from Europe and North America.

CREDIT: AP

What is Mpox aka Monkeypox

Mpox, which was previously called monkeypox, is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus. For decades, the spread of mpox was limited to central and western Africa. WHO officially dropped the name monkeypox to avoid racial stigmatisation around the infection.

How does Mpox spread

Mpox can spread between people through close contact with infected people, including via sex. Mpox can also spread from the environment to people via things and surfaces that have been touched by a person with mpox. It can also be transmitted from infected animals to people who have contact with them.

What are the symptoms of Mpox

Mpox can cause a range of signs and symptoms including a rash which may last for 2¨C4 weeks. This may start with, or be followed by, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands. While some people have less severe symptoms, others may develop more serious illness and need care in a health facility. Those typically at higher risk of more severe symptoms include people who are pregnant, children and people who are immunocompromised.

CREDIT: AP

Treatment of Mpox

An antiviral that was developed to treat smallpox (tecovirimat) was approved in January 2022 by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of mpox under exceptional circumstances.

Vaccines for Mpox

Mpox is preventable with vaccination and there are currently three vaccines -- MVA-BN, LC16, and OrthopoxVac that have also been approved.

CREDIT: AP

However, according to WHO, only people who are at risk should be considered for vaccination.

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