World Health Organization declares end of mpoxide health emergency

WHO

Monkeypox killed 140 people in 111 countries

Almost a week after changing the status of covid-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Mpox (or monkeypox) no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. In July 2022, the entity decreed the status of emergency due to the outbreak of the disease in several countries. More than 87,000 cases and 140 deaths have been reported in 111 countries.

“We are now seeing steady progress in controlling the outbreak based on lessons learned from HIV [vírus da Aids] and working together with the most affected communities”,

said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighting a nearly 90% drop in cases over the last three months when compared to the previous quarter.

According to Tedros, the work of community organizations, along with public health officials, has been instrumental in informing people about the risks of Mpox, encouraging and supporting behavior change, and advocating for access to tests, vaccines and treatments so that they are affordable. to those most in need.

“However, as with Covid-19, the end of the emergency does not mean the job is over. Mpox continues to present significant public health challenges that need a robust, proactive and sustainable response.”

explained the director general of the WHO, noting that the virus continues to affect communities globally, including in Africa.

“Travel-related cases reported in all regions demonstrate the continuing threat. There is a risk, in particular, for people living with untreated HIV infection. It remains important that countries maintain their testing capabilities and efforts, assess risks, quantify their response needs, and act promptly when needed,”

finished Tedros.

The disease

Mpox (or monkeypox) is a zoonotic viral disease. Transmission to humans can occur through contact with infected wild animals, people infected by the virus and contaminated materials. Symptoms usually include a rash or skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes (buboes), fever, body aches, headache, chills, and weakness.

According to the Ministry of Health, the time interval between the first contact with the virus and the onset of signs and symptoms (incubation period) ranges from three to 16 days, but can reach 21 days. After the scabs on the skin disappear, the infected person stops transmitting the virus. Rashes usually start one to three days after the onset of fever, but may appear sooner.

Lesions may be flat or slightly raised, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, and may form scabs that dry and fall off. The number of lesions in one person can range from a few to thousands of lesions. Rashes tend to be concentrated on the face, palms and soles, but can occur anywhere on the body, including the mouth, eyes, genitals and anus.

*With information from WHO

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