WHO Declares Monkeypox a Global Health Emergency as Cases Surge Worldwide
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the spread of the monkeypox virus a “public health emergency of international concern” last week. It was announced that more cases have been detected this year than were seen in all of 2023.
The virus, which has spread rapidly, has now reached several countries. Rising cases of monkeypox have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, which have never reported cases before. Additionally, it has been confirmed that the virus has spread to Europe.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH INCREASES MEDICINE STOCK
At an evaluation meeting chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr. Hakan Dinçyürek, strategies to combat the Mpox (monkeypox) epidemic were discussed. The meeting focused on how the virus spreads, its symptoms, and necessary precautions.
Minister Dinçyürek explained that Mpox is a viral infection generally transmitted through close contact, and outlined the modes of transmission as follows:
- Person-to-person contact (touching, kissing, sexual intercourse, etc.).
- Transmission from infected animals to humans.
- Transmission through contaminated materials (sheets, towels, clothing, needles, etc.).
- Transmission to the unborn baby during pregnancy.
He noted that symptoms of the infection usually appear after 14 days (ranging from 6 to 21 days) and include rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary. The disease is diagnosed through PCR testing of the fluid in the rash.
Dinçyürek assured that the drugs required for treatment are available, and that efforts have been initiated to increase drug stocks in anticipation of a large-scale epidemic. He also stated that vaccination is recommended for high-risk groups and individuals who have close contact with confirmed Mpox patients worldwide.
WHAT IS MONKEYPOX?
According to WHO, the Mpox virus is a viral disease caused by the “monkeypox” virus, which belongs to the virus family Poxviridae and the genus Orthopoxvirus. Common symptoms of the disease include high fever, headache, back and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, chills, shivering, and chickenpox-like blisters on the skin. It is transmitted from rodents such as mice and squirrels or from infected individuals. Touching body rashes caused by the virus, using contaminated clothing, sheets, towels, and similar items, and contact with body fluids are among the most important causes of transmission.
