Risk of Monkeypox emergence in non-endemic countries 'real': WHO
Geneva (Switzerland), June 9: Amid an uptick in Monkeypox infections, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged affected countries to identify all cases and contacts to control the outbreak, on Wednesday.
"Over 1,000 #monkeypox cases have been reported from 29 countries where the disease is not endemic, with no deaths reported so far in these countries. @WHO urges affected countries to identify all cases and contacts to control the outbreak and prevent onward spread," Tedros said on Twitter.
Further emphasising the prevention of the onward spread of the disease, he said no deaths have been reported so far but the risk of monkeypox establishing in non-endemic countries is real.
Talking about the vaccines, Tedros added, "There are antivirals and vaccines approved for monkeypox but these are in limited supply." He further added that WHO is working on developing a coordination mechanism based on public health needs and mass vaccination is necessary as the disease has spread to 29 countries.
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"People with symptoms should stay at home and ones sharing home with infected ones must avoid close contact," he said.
The WHO director-general also highlighted how the virus has been living and killing in Africa for decades but the world has now paid attention when it has started affecting the high-income countries.
"The communities living with the threat of the virus every day deserve the same concern, the same care and the same tools to protect themselves," the WHO chief said.
Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease that lasts 2 to 4 weeks, according to the WHO. It can be severe in children, pregnant women, and people who have immune suppression from other conditions.
The incubation time is usually 6 to 13 days, but it can range between 5 and 21 days.
Typical symptoms are fever, headache, muscle ache, backache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes or lesions.
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-PTC News
