World

Monkeypox infections increasing in many countries, warns WHO

August 31, 2022
Bharat Times

New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday (August 31, 2022) that the number of monkeypox infections continues to rise in many countries and listed three things to eliminate the disease.

In a media briefing, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “In the US, which accounts for more than half of the reported cases, the number of infections in many countries continues to rise, albeit in a continued downward trend.” Exciting to see Canada.”

“Some European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, are also seeing a clear slowing of the outbreak, demonstrating the effectiveness of public health interventions and community engagement to track infections and prevent transmission,” he said.

The WHO chief said these signs confirm that with the right measures, this is “an outbreak that can be stopped”.

“We may be “with COVID-19″ for the foreseeable future. But we don’t have to live with monkeypox,” he said.

“But it won’t just happen. Eliminating monkeypox requires three things: evidence that it is possible, which we are now beginning to see; political will and commitment; and public health measures in those communities. implementations that need them the most,” Tedros said.

Since early May 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported from countries where the disease is not endemic. Most confirmed cases with travel history reported travel to countries in Europe and North America, where the monkeypox virus is endemic, rather than to West or Central Africa.

More than 50,000 monkeypox cases have been recorded in the global outbreak so far. This, in particular, is the first time that multiple monkeypox infections and clusters have been concurrently reported in non-endemic and endemic countries in widely disparate geographic areas.

Most of the monkeypox cases reported so far have been identified through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary health care facilities and have primarily involved men who have sex with men, but exclusively No.

What is monkeypox disease?

It is a disease caused by monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic infection that can be transmitted from animals to humans. It can also spread from person to person. The disease is called monkeypox because it was first identified in 1958 in colonies of monkeys kept for research. It was later detected in humans in the 1970s.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

Monkeypox disease can cause a variety of signs and symptoms. While some people have mild symptoms, others may develop more severe symptoms and require care in a healthcare facility. The most common symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. It is followed by or accompanied by the development of a rash that may last for two to three weeks.

The rash can be found on the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, eyes, mouth, throat, groin and genital and/or anal areas of the body. The number of lesions can range from one to several thousand. The sores begin to flatten, then fill with fluid, dry out and fall off before a crust forms, beneath which a new layer of skin forms.

Symptoms usually last two to three weeks and usually go away on their own or with supportive care, such as medicine for pain or fever. People remain contagious until all lesions form a scab, the scab falls off and a new layer of skin forms.

People at higher risk for serious illness or complications include those who are pregnant, have children, and people who have compromised immunity.

How does the monkeypox virus spread?

Monkeypox is spread through close contact with someone who has a monkeypox rash, including face-to-face, skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact, including sexual contact. When an infectious person touches clothing, bedding, towels, objects, electronics, and surfaces, another person who touches these items can become infected. It is also possible to become infected by skin flakes from clothing, bedding or towels or by breathing in the virus.

The virus can also be spread through direct mouth contact, respiratory droplets, and possibly short-distance aerosols.

Monkeypox can also be spread from someone who is pregnant and in the womb, through skin-to-skin contact after birth, or from parent to infant or child with monkeypox during close contact.

How to protect yourself from monkeypox?

Reduce your risk of catching monkeypox by limiting close contact with people who have suspected or confirmed monkeypox, or with animals that may be infected.

Clean and disinfected environments that could have been contaminated with the monkeypox virus from someone who was regularly infected.

Is there any treatment for monkeypox?

People with monkeypox virus should follow the advice of their health care provider. According to the WHO, symptoms usually get better on their own without the need for treatment, but if necessary, medication for pain (analgesics) and antipyretics (antipyretics) can be used to relieve some symptoms. .

Staying hydrated, eating well, and getting enough sleep are important for anyone with monkeypox.

People infected with monkeypox should also avoid scratching their skin and by cleaning their hands and keeping the skin dry and uncovered before and after touching wounds (unless they are essentially in a room with someone else). no, in which case they should cover it with cloth or a bandage until they are able to separate again).

The rash can be kept clean with disinfected water or an antiseptic. A saltwater rinse can be used for sores in the mouth, and a warm bath with baking soda and Epsom salts can help with sores on the body. Lidocaine can be applied to oral and perianal lesions to relieve pain.

An antiviral developed to treat smallpox (tecovirimat) was approved in January 2022 by the European Medicines Agency to treat monkeypox.

Can children catch the monkeypox virus?

Children can also get monkeypox if they are in close contact with someone who has symptoms. However, the number of children infected with monkeypox in the current outbreak is very small.