If we look at the data of the last decade at the global level, it is known that many types of infectious diseases have posed serious challenges to health. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus epidemic, which started in the last months of the year 2019, a global health emergency given its severity and complications. Corona cases are now quite under control, but now another disease is raising the concern of experts.
According to media reports, monkeypox infection is increasing rapidly in the African continent these days. It is also known as Mpox. More than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have been reported in Africa this year. Given the danger of Mpox, the WHO declared it a 'global health emergency' on Wednesday (August 14). It is worth noting that Mpox has been declared a global health emergency for the second time since the year 2022.
Health experts have expressed concern that cases of ampox may spread to other continents as well, so everyone needs to pay serious attention to this.
Danger increased in African countries
Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), said during an online media briefing, "I am very serious about the health of the citizens. With an unwavering commitment to the health of the people, we declare approximately a public health emergency for continental security. According to CDC data, from January 2022 to August 4, there have been 38,465 cases of ampox and 1,456 deaths in Africa.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, the emergency committee met on ampox and advised me that it is a matter of international concern. I have accepted the advice to declare it a public health emergency. The World Health Organization is working on the ground level and working with affected countries and others at risk.
Let us know what ampox infection is and what kind of complications can be caused by it.
Monkeypox was also spread last year Infection
It is worth noting that earlier in the months of July-September last year, approx had troubled people a lot in the United States and China. In India too, its cases were reported for the first time during the coronavirus infection.
Given the risks of monkeypox, the Europe branch of WHO has also run a campaign called Eliminate Ampox, in which emphasis is being laid on alerting people about vaccination and prevention. Officials have said that getting vaccinated is very important. No vaccine is 100% effective and infection is possible even after vaccination, but its advantage is that the disease does not take a serious form due to infection and the chances of hospitalization can be reduced.
Know about monkeypox infection
Ampox or monkeypox disease is an infectious disease caused by monkeypox virus. It can cause large blisters on the skin along with swelling in lymph nodes and fever. Its outbreak has been seen more mainly in gay, and bisexual people. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had alerted in a report that apart from sexual relations, there can be many other ways of getting this infection, due to which all people need to remain cautious.
How to prevent infection?
The antiviral drug tecovirimat (TPOXX), which is originally for smallpox, is being studied for the treatment of ampox. The United States Food and Drug Administration has also approved a smallpox vaccine called JNEOS (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) for severe ampox cases in people aged 18 years and above.
Health experts said that this infection can also occur by coming in contact with the infected person's skin lesions, body fluids, or droplets emitted by coughing and sneezing. All people need to remain cautious to prevent this.
(PC: ISTOCK)
