Many countries of the world are in the grip of dangerous monkeypox infection these days. Given the increasing risk of infection in many African countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a global health emergency. Now cases of this disease are also being seen in Asian countries.
According to the recent report, three patients of monkeypox have been confirmed in neighboring country Pakistan. Cases of infection have been reported for the first time this year in Pakistan. On Thursday, the first suspected case of monkeypox was reported this year, after which the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) issued a consultation on measures to deal with this disease. Two more patients have been confirmed on Friday. Earlier last year, cases of infection were reported in three people in Pakistan.
Apart from Pakistan, the first case of infection has also been registered in Sweden on Thursday. Seeing the increasing risk of monkeypox in many countries, the Chinese government has also become alert. A statement issued by the Chinese Customs Administration said that for the next six months, people entering the country will be monitored for monkeypox. It is worth noting that last year, cases of monkeypox infection increased in China, about which the WHO had expressed concern.
Cases are increasing in many countries
According to the World Health Organization report, so far this year, more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have been recorded in African countries, which is much more than last year's figures. More than 96% of these cases and deaths have occurred in Congo alone.
The first case was reported in Sweden a day after the WHO declared a world health emergency. The infected person had recently traveled to Africa and the infection was confirmed in him upon returning to Stockholm. Health experts have advised all people to remain cautious about the threat of monkeypox.
The World Health Organization has alerted
The World Health Organization has issued a warning given the increasing threat of infectious diseases in many countries including Africa. Officials said the threat of monkeypox is now seen spreading outside Africa. Hundreds of deaths have occurred due to this dangerous infection in Congo. We are discussing with Sweden and other countries how these cases can be managed. There is a possibility of a further increase in travel-related cases in the coming weeks. Everyone needs to remain alert, although there is no need to restrict travel or close borders.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "The first M-Pox Clade 1B infection has been identified in Sweden. There is a need to deal with the virus together. We are encouraging all countries to increase surveillance, share data, and work to better understand and manage the infection.
India also advised to be cautious
Health experts say, India also needs to be cautious about monkeypox. The threat has increased even more after the infection was reported in neighboring country Pakistan. During Corona, the first case of monkeypox was reported in India in July 2022. According to media reports, by the end of July 2023, a total of 27 cases of monkeypox disease were reported in the country, including 12 cases from Kerala. No case of monkeypox has been reported so far this year.
How does this infectious disease spread?
M-pox or monkeypox is a highly contagious disease. It causes large blisters on the skin along with inflammation of the lymph nodes. There may be swelling and fever. Ampox spreads through close contact with an infected animal or a person infected with the virus. Infection can spread from one person to another by coming in contact with the infected person's wounds, droplets from coughing or sneezing, or other fluids.
(PC: Freepik)
