Mumbai, August 16: The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox Virus a global health emergency, its highest level of concern, on August 14, 2024, as over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in Africa have been reported due to its spread. This announcement came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared Mpox a public heath emergency.

The Mpox Virus, earlier known as the "monkeypox virus", is a zoonotic virus of Orthopoxovirus genus, which was first reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) back in 1958. It primarily affects humans and animals, with rashes, lumps and blisters are its main symptoms.

How Does It Spread?

The Mpox virus is caused when an individual or an animal is infected by the Monkeypox virus. As per Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Mpox can spread via: direct skin-to-skin contact with Mpox rash or scabs from an infected person, contact with saliva, upper respiratory secretions (snot, mucus), bodily fluids or lesions around the anus, rectum, or vagina from another infected person, and pregnant people with Mpox can pass the virus to the foetus during pregnancy or to the new-born during and after birth. It can also spread via oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or touching the genitals, hugging, massage, kissing and prolonged face-to-face interactions (such as talking or breathing). It can further spread from contact with contaminated objects like fabrics. Mpox in Sweden: European Country Confirms 1st Case of ‘More Contagious’ Monkeypox Virus.

What Are Prevention Steps?

Mpox virus can be prevented by avoiding contact with infected animals and individuals along with maintaining proper personal and spatial hygiene. Wearing protective clothing in high-risk areas is also suggested to prevent infections. Mpox Outbreak: Amid Surge in Monkeypox Cases in Africa, Sweden and Pakistan, Expert Urges Health Authorities To Begin Screening for Virus at Airports in India.

Apart from this, the CDC recommended two shots of the JYNNEOS vaccine within a gap of 4 weeks. However, if one has previously recovered from Mpox, one does not need the vaccine. In the case of contracting the virus, the infected individuals should further isolate to prevent spreading the virus. The symptoms can be alleviated via supportive care such as ensuring adequate fluid intake and using pain and fever with over-the-counter medications. One can even be administered antiviral treatments like tecovirimat in the worse cases.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 16, 2024 07:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).