Geneva — On Wednesday, the head of the World Health Organization in Europe called for urgent action by authorities and civic groups to control the soaring cases of monkeypox, which he said poses a real risk to public health. rice field.
Europe has emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak of monkeypox, with more than 1,500 confirmed cases in 25 European countries, accounting for 85% of the world’s cases. Press conference.
WHO will convene an emergency committee in Geneva next week to make a formal declaration calling for a coordinated response between countries to determine if the outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern. Dr. Kruge added.
“The magnitude of this outbreak poses a real risk,” said Dr. Kruge. “The longer the virus cycle, the wider its range and the stronger the foothold of the disease in non-epidemic countries.”
Monkeypox is a viral infection that is endemic in West Africa, but it has spread to 39 countries, including 32 that have never been experienced before, said WHO director Dr. Tedros Adanom Gebreyes on Tuesday. I told reporters. Countries other than Africa and Europe that have identified cases of monkeypox include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, and the United States.
Infections are primarily due to close physical contact and affect men who have sexual intercourse with men, but long-term face-to-face contact can also spread through respiratory droplets, Europe. Andrea Ammon, director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said. At a press conference on Wednesday. Cases of monkeypox have also been found among close relatives, but the risk of transmission among the general population is “quite low,” Dr. Ammon said.
Monkeypox does not belong to a single social group, Dr. Kruge said, stigmatizing the virus as a homosexual illness develops an effective public health response, such as when tackling HIV and AIDS. He warned that it would undermine his efforts.
WHO recorded 27 deaths in Africa this year, but not in Europe. Most infections are mild and do not require hospitalization, but those who are in close contact with the virus should also be quarantined for 21 days.
Dr. Kruge reiterated concerns that the epidemic of monkeypox could accelerate during the summer of Europe, where hundreds of pride events, music festivals and other mass gatherings take place, but monkeypox held the event. He said it was not a reason to cancel. He said the rally provided a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of the disease and encouraged event organizers, local communities and dating apps to provide a clear message on how to prevent and deal with the disease.
Dr. Kruge called for urgent action by European countries to expand surveillance, diagnostic testing, genetic sequencing, and track infected contacts and sexual partners. WHO has released emergency funds to strengthen the laboratory’s ability to identify monkeypox virus in countries that are deficient in monkeypox virus, he said.
What you need to know about monkeypox virus
What is monkeypox? Monkeypox is a virus that is endemic in parts of Central and West Africa. Similar to smallpox, but less serious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was discovered in 1958 after an outbreak occurred in monkeys kept for research.
However, high-dose vaccination is not recommended, Dr. Kruge reiterated Dr. Tedros’s comments on Tuesday, and he said that rich countries repeated the mistakes of the Covid-19 pandemic and soon had a limited stock of vaccines. He emphasized concerns that he would monopolize.
Dr. Tedros said WHO is working with member states to develop initiatives to ensure more equitable access, but according to Dr. Kruge, “already to acquire and stockpile these. I’m in a hurry in some quarters. “
Dr. Tedros said on Tuesday that WHO is working with experts to come up with another name for monkeypox and the illness it causes as soon as possible.
WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said Wednesday that his current name is “misleading and stigmatizing.” Preliminary research has pointed out that human-to-human transmission may not be detected for several years, but existing names are transmitted to people unless exposed through contact with Africa or related animals. He said it could foster a false belief that it is difficult to do.
