WHO ANNOUNCED GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY AGAINST MONKEYPOX


Monkeypox outbreak in Africa is now a global public health emergency according to the World Health Organization (Photo courtesy of NIAID via Associated Press/Inquirer)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox as a global public health emergency following the increase in its cases in the African country. Despite this, Filipinos have nothing to worry about according to the Department of Health (DOH).
The formerly known monkeypox (Mpox) cases are increasing in Africa particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo where more than 17,000 (160%+) have been affected by this virus of which more than 517 have died based on the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Because of this, the WHO has declared Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, which is the highest alert level in the world a situation calling for accelerated research, funding and international cooperation to contain a disease.
WHO last declared a public health emergency of international concern for Mpox in 2022 at the same time as CoVid-19 which caused a pandemic.
“The emergency committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). I have accepted that advice,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Despite WHO's declaration, Filipinos have nothing to fear according to the DOH. There is no active case of this in the country, 9 cases were previously recorded but the last one was in December 2023 and all of them are good according to DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo.
To ensure that the virus does not enter the Philippines, the Bureau of Quarantine will be more careful at the border but will not add any additional processes. But the Bureau of Quarantine would conduct “interviews, particularly to passengers departing and arriving from countries in Africa.”
Mpox or monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by a virus, symptoms include fever, rash, and others. It is said that it gets worse when it is not disinfected, especially since it has pus. So far there is no vaccine or medicine for Mpox but it is said to heal on its own. DOH advice, wear a face mask and always wash your hands to prevent the virus.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Be part of ImHenyo community!
Get featured by sharing your stories, news, and comments
Email us at [email protected]
NEWS















Comments