World Health Organization names monkeypox a public health emergency, over 15 cases globally

news7h07/24/2022

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World Health Organization names monkeypox a public health emergency, over 15 cases globally

Saturday morning began with an important decision for leaders at the World Health Organization. Following the meetings, the WHO moved to trigger the highest alert for the growing monkeypox outbreak. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that the outbreak was deemed a “public health emergency of international concern”.

Enabling this state is not a simple process. Based on CNBC, WHO relies on an emergency committee to weigh the evidence and make recommendations to the director. The committee met on Thursday. However, they are said to be unable to decide whether monkeypox is an emergency at this time. But, the director made the executive decision to pull the trigger.

“We have an outbreak that has spread around the world quickly, through new modes of transmission that we understand so little about,” said Director Tedros. “For all of these reasons, I have decided that the global outbreak of monkeypox is a public health emergency of international concern.”

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, declared monkeypox an “international public health emergency of international concern” after an advisory panel failed to reach an agreement. agreed upon. https://t.co/IfNFBSbmkv pic.twitter.com/nH0Ew8PRhd

– The New York Times (@nytimes) July 23, 2022

However, the declaration does not mean that each participating country will have a mandate. At this point, their only requirement is to report events that pose a global health threat. In turn, WHO is responsible for providing guidance and recommendations on how to navigate the threat.

Smallpox cases in monkeys multiply – Global numbers reach over 15,000

According to WHO data, 74 countries are dealing with a smallpox outbreak in monkeys. As of July 21, WHO said laboratory results had confirmed 15,328 cases. Additionally, officials have 72 possible cases. The relevant staff has reported WHO only 5 deaths so far. However, the majority of cases since May involve countries with no prior reports of monkeypox.

Monkeypox is endemic in areas of West and Central Africa, but the current outbreak is unknown. However, the countries most affected, according to WHO, are Spain, Germany, UK, USA, France, Netherlands, Canada, Portugal, Brazil and Italy. In addition, seven countries have reported their first cases in the past seven days.

WHO director says men who have sex with other men are at high risk

On Saturday, WHO Director Tedros gave an insight into the groups most at risk.

“Currently, this is an outbreak that is concentrated among men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple partners, which means that this is an outbreak that can be prevented with effective measures. the right strategy on the right team,” the director said each CNN.

However, WHO and CDC have both warned against discriminating against gay and bisexual men.

The CDC says monkeypox is spread through direct contact with respiratory droplets and contact with bodily fluids, sores, and contaminated items such as clothing and bedding. Some symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and cough, painful lesions/rash, fever and headache, lack of energy.