Threat of monkeypox spreading to non-endemic nations is’real’: Tedros

In an address on Wednesday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, encouraged impacted nations to identify all cases and contacts in order to limit the spread.
“Over 1,000 instances of #monkeypox have been recorded from 29 countries where the illness is not endemic, with no deaths documented thus far.” “The @WHO encourages impacted nations to identify all cases and contacts in order to manage the outbreak and prevent further spread,” Tedros tweeted. He emphasised the need of preventing the illness from spreading further, saying that while no deaths have been documented thus far, the possibility of monkeypox establishing in non-endemic nations is significant.

“There are antivirals and vaccinations licenced for monkeypox, but these are in limited supply,” Tedros said, adding that WHO is working on building a coordinating system based on public health requirements and that mass immunisation is required because the illness has spread to 29 countries.

“People who have symptoms should stay at home, and those who share a house with sick people should avoid close contact,” he said.

He also mentioned how the virus has been living and murdering in Africa for decades, but the world only became aware of it when it began impacting high-income countries.

“The communities dealing with the HIV danger every day deserve the same concern, care, and means to protect themselves,” the WHO Chief concluded his remarks.

Monkeypox is normally a self-limiting condition that lasts 2 to 4 weeks, according to the WHO. It can be severe in youngsters, pregnant women, and those who have immune suppression from other illnesses.

The incubation time is typically 6 to 13 days, although it can range between 5 and 21 days.

Typical symptoms include fever, headache, muscular discomfort, backache, exhaustion, enlarged lymph nodes, and skin rashes or sores.