Table of Contents
On August, 15, World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Monkeypox, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). It is the WHO’s biggest level of alert.
Monkeypox is spreading very rapidly in Africa. Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, General Jean Kaseya, said on Tuesday “I declare with a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our people, to our African citizens, we declare mpox as public health emergency of continental security” This department is the top most for public health.
As of August, 2024, Almost 17000 cases have been diagnosed and approximately 550 people have been died already.
What is Mpox?
Mpox was first discovered in 1970 in Congo. It was known as Monkeypox until 2022. But, in 2022, due to racist remarks online WHO in consultation with the other health organizations changed its name to Mpox.
Its severity increased, but later organizations took control of it. In 2022-2023, it spread out from Africa again and spread to the world. WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). WHO revoked this in May 2023 as the outbreak came under control.
It is an infection-viral disease which spread through human contact and can kill a person. It usually get cure, but people with weak immune system, pregnant women and children can face severe issues if not treated properly.
How Mpox spreads?
It is an infectious-viral disease. It spreads through close human contact.
- Close contact between humans.
- Mainly through sexually Contact.
- Touching contaminated objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), or surfaces, which are used by the effected.
- Contact with infected animals.
- Germs spreading when people talk face-to-face for a long time.
What are the symptoms of the Mpox?
Symptoms are similar to fever and rashes. We have outlined them below.
- Fever.
- Flu.
- A rash that typically appears 1-3 days after the onset of fever.
- Puss-filled lesions.
- Muscle aches and backache.
What is the treatment for the Mpox?
There is no specific treatment for Mpox as of now. However, there are number of measures which should be taken to cuyre the disease.
- Isolation (To prevent spread to others)
- Pain relief medicnes.
- Keeping the skin clean.
- Fever reduction.
- Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG): Sometimes used for severe cases.
- Keeping rash area clean.
- Antiviral medicines.
Are there any cases of Mpox in Pakistan?
First case of Monkeypox virus was diagnosed in a 25-years old man, on April 21, 2023, in Islamabad, who recently arrived from Saudi Arabia. After that, no confirmed case was diagnosed. However, safety measures have been taken recently.
