WHO:Mpox is no longer a global health emergency
The mpox outbreak was declared to no longer be a global health emergency on Thursday by the World Health Organisation.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) designated mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, as a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022. It was described as "an extraordinary event that poses a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and "to potentially require a coordinated international response. The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred with the emergency committee's recommendation to call an end to the situation after a contentious meeting this week.
The emergency committee for mpox convened yesterday and made a recommendation to me that the multi-country mpox outbreak is no longer a public health emergency of concern on a global scale. I'm happy to announce that the mpox is no longer a global health emergency after accepting that advise, Tedros stated. But that does not mean that the task is finished, just like with Covid-19. There needs to be a strong, proactive, and long-lasting response to the substantial public health challenges that Mpox continues to present.
The director-general exhorted nations to keep up their testing capacity and capacity to act swiftly in the event of future outbreaks.
More than 87,000 confirmed cases of mpox, including 140 deaths, were reported to WHO from 111 countries or territories between January 2022 and April 2023. In the US, more than 30,000 cases have been documented. Since knowledge has grown and the vaccination has been more readily available, cases have been declining globally.
In comparison to the prior 90 days, Tedros said that the number of instances reported during the past three months had decreased by 90%. Even if the number of cases is declining, transmission is still occurring, according to Dr. Nicola Low, co-chair of the International Health Regulations emergency committee on mpox.
Mpox is a cousin of the now-extinct smallpox virus that is less harmful. It is mainly contracted via a rodent or small mammal and is indigenous to portions of West and Central Africa.
The bulk of cases in the most recent outbreak have been reported among gay, bisexual, and males who have sex with other men, but anyone who has had close, personal contact with someone who has mpox is at risk.
Although stigma has been a major issue in controlling this outbreak and still prevents some people from getting the care they need for mpox, the anticipated backlash against the populations that have been most impacted has mostly not happened. We're grateful for that, Tedros remarked.
The virus can be spread by coming into contact with bodily fluids, open sores, or contaminated objects like clothing and bedding. Additionally, and usually in a close environment, it can be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets.
Despite the fact that the mpox and Covid-19 global health catastrophes are no longer present, according to Tedros, there is still a chance of a return. Both infections are still spreading and still causing deaths, he said.
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