Table of Contents
– What preventive measures â€can be taken â¢to avoid contracting Monkeypox (MPOX)?
WHO Supports African Efforts to Fight MPOX Spread, New Case Recorded in Sweden
The⢠World Health Organization (WHO) has announced its support for African countries in their efforts to fight the spread of Monkeypox (MPOX), after a new case â¤was recorded‌ in Sweden. Read on to learn more about this development and what steps are​ being taken to combat the situation.
WHO Supports African Efforts to â¢Fight MPOX Spread, New Case Recorded in Sweden
The World Health Organization has declared its support for African countries as they grapple with the spread of Monkeypox (MPOX), following a new case being recorded in Sweden. This comes as a worrying development, necessitating rapid and coordinated efforts to contain the situation and prevent â€further spread of the disease.
What is ​Monkeypox (MPOX)?
Monkeypox ‌is a rare and â£potentially serious viral⤠disease â€that is native to the tropical rainforest of Central and West Africa. It belongs to the ‌same family of viruses as smallpox, but is â£less severe. The disease is primarily transmitted to people from wild animals‌ such as rodents and primates, and can also spread from human-to-human through respiratory droplets, bodily fluids, and skin-to-skin contact.
African Efforts‌ to Combat MPOX​ Spread
Given that Monkeypox has the potential to cause large-scale outbreaks in African communities, the WHO has pledged⢠its support to these countries to help contain the spread. Some of the key efforts being undertaken â¢include:
– Rapid deployment of medical teams to affected areas
– Strengthening surveillance and laboratory capacity
– Enhancing public awareness and education to†promote preventive measures such as handwashing and vaccination
– Coordinating with regional â¤health authorities to ensure a unified response
These⢠efforts are crucial​ in mitigating the impact of Monkeypox â€on communities and preventing further transmission.
New Case Recorded in Sweden
While⢠Monkeypox is primarily​ endemic to Central and West Africa, â£a new â¤case has been recorded in Sweden, marking a concerning​ development. The infected individual ‌had recently traveled to Nigeria, where they â€likely contracted the virus before returning to Sweden. This highlights the potential for ​diseases like Monkeypox to spread across borders, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in â£addressing such public health threats.
Key Takeaways
– Monkeypox is a rare viral disease endemic to Central and West Africa
-‌ The WHO is supporting African countries in their efforts to combat the spread of Monkeypox
– Enhanced surveillance, public awareness, and‌ coordination⢠are crucial in containing the disease
– The recent case⣠in Sweden underscores⢠the global nature of public health challenges
Conclusion
The emergence of‌ a new⣠Monkeypox case in Sweden, along with ‌ongoing efforts to combat the disease in African countries, underscores the need⢠for concerted international action to address public health threats. The support of organizations​ like the WHO is vital ​in facilitating a‌ coordinated response and ultimately containing​ the spread of diseases like Monkeypox.
while the situation is concerning, the collective efforts of governments, health authorities, and international organizations offer â¤hope in tackling â£this⢠and other public health challenges. â£Understanding the nature of Monkeypox and the⣠measures being taken to combat†it are critical in⢠maintaining public health and safety worldwide.
The†Latest Developments in the International Response to ​the Mpox Outbreak
The mpox outbreak, which initially impacted⣠the Democratic ‌Republic of the Congo (DRC) and subsequently spread to surrounding countries,⣠has continued‌ to â€escalate.​ On Thursday, WHO member Sweden announced its first case ​of the Clade 1 variant outside of Africa.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the collaborative efforts being made to strengthen control†measures against mpox and address the virus’s widening â€trend. The mission is aimed at working closely with ‌governments â€and communities while coordinating responses with partners and national authorities.
An Overview â¤of Mpox as a‌ Global Health Concern
Mpox â€(formerly known⣠as monkeypox) is a viral disease that â¤spreads through physical contact with⢠infected‌ individuals, animals, or contaminated objects. It was initially detected in humans in 1970 in â£DRC and is considered endemic to countries across Central and West Africa. Different clades of mpox viruses cause â¤outbreaks; specifically, clade 1 â¤has been circulating ​in DRC for years.
WHO’s Declaration:​ Public Health ​Emergency
The emergence of a new â¤strain -†clade 1b – and its⢠rapid spread led WHO to â¤declare mpox a public health â€emergency of international​ concern (PHEIC). This⢠year alone has⢠seen over 2,100 laboratory confirmed cases of mpox â£across DRC and â£neighboring‌ countries compared to just 1,145 ​cases during all of ‌2023.
Support Efforts​ by â€WHO
In response⢠to â¢this†escalating crisis, WHO has†increased support by deploying⤠additional experts such as epidemiologists â¤and anthropologists while also providing â¢initial funding for​ outbreak response measures. Cross-border â€collaboration is being prioritized for‌ case â¢investigation, contact tracing, community†engagement‌ for â£preventive measures’ compliance.
Vaccine â£Access Improvements
Efforts are⢠underway within WHO†towards â¤facilitating Emergency Use†Listing (EUL)†processes for mpox‌ vaccines enabling lower-income countries access availability before national regulatory approval issues arise. Furthermore strengthening ​national‌ diagnostic capacities/genomic sequencing ‌ongoing/testing kits provision aimed at identifying â¢different clades ​amongst other preparations​ around affected or at-risk territories from neighboring regions reference⢠point DRC remains effectively⤠ongoing‌ courtesy risk preparedness disease surveillance/ frontline worker â£training/public awareness campaigns enhancement efforts detailed herewith underlining urgent necessity amplifying general population â¤familiarization/enhancement; same applies as â£aforementioned forthcoming overview pending above preemptive â£efforts assertively⤠remains priority memorandum regarding final confirmation same.n
