On May 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the global health emergency for mpox, a viral disease that was earlier known as monkeypox, which had been spreading worldwide since May 2022, with confirmed cases reported in over 100 countries. The emergency committee of WHO suggested ending the health emergency, and its director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the decision public during a press conference.
About mpox disease
- Monkeypox, also known as mpox, is a viral disease that spreads through direct contact with body fluids and was first observed in humans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970.
- The disease has mainly been limited to West and Central African countries since then.
- However, last May, the disease started to spread globally, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
- The outbreak led to over 87,000 cases and 140 deaths in 111 countries, according to the WHO.
- Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, muscular aches, and large boil-like skin lesions.
- The disease can also be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, contact with body fluids, or contaminated objects.
About WHO
- The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) was formed on April 7, 1948.
- Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland.
- The organization’s primary objective is to build a better, healthier future for people all over the world.
- It works with governments and partners to ensure that everyone has access to the healthcare they need, regardless of where they live or how much money they have.
- The WHO’s work includes efforts to prevent and control the spread of diseases, promote healthy lifestyles, provide emergency assistance in times of crisis, and strengthen health systems in developing countries.
- The organization also develops and distributes vaccines, as well as conducts research, and collects data on global health issues.
- Current Director-General – Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
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FAQs
What is mpox disease?
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a rare viral disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by the monkeypox virus, which is similar to the human smallpox virus. The disease is primarily found in remote parts of Central and West Africa, and it can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, such as rodents or monkeys. The disease can also be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, contact with body fluids, or contaminated objects. Symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that develops into pustules and crusts. Although mpox is generally a self-limiting disease, meaning it usually resolves on its own, severe cases can occur, and treatment is generally supportive.
What are the first signs of mpox?
The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox. The incubation period is typically 5-14 days. The initial symptoms include:
Fever, Headache, Muscle aches, Backache, Swollen lymph nodes, Chills, and Exhaustion
A rash then typically develops, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.
Fever, Headache, Muscle aches, Backache, Swollen lymph nodes, Chills, and Exhaustion
A rash then typically develops, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.
How is mpox spread?
Monkeypox is primarily spread to people through close contact with infected animals, such as rodents, and primates, and sometimes through bites or scratches from infected animals. Human-to-human transmission can also occur through close contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, respiratory droplets, or skin lesions of an infected person. Additionally, touching items or surfaces contaminated with the virus, such as bedding, clothing, or towels used by an infected person, can also lead to transmission. It is important to note that the risk of transmission is generally low, and the disease is not as contagious as some other viral illnesses like measles or chickenpox.
