Regarding monkeypox, WHO announced that…

WHO declares monkeypox outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern"

On the 14th, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that the monkeypox epidemic constitutes an " international public health emergency ."

Tedros said that the current monkeypox epidemic has the potential to spread further in Africa and to other continents, which is very worrying. According to WHO data, more than 15,600 cases of monkeypox have been reported so far this year, exceeding the total number of cases last year, with 537 deaths.

Is monkeypox serious? What are the clinical manifestations?

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis. The initial symptoms of monkeypox in humans include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes , which can later develop into a large rash on the face and body. Most infected people recover within a few weeks, but some become seriously ill or even die. Since May 2022, more than 100 countries and regions around the world have reported cases of monkeypox. In July of the same year, the World Health Organization announced that the monkeypox epidemic constituted an "international public health emergency", which was not lifted until May 2023.

How is monkeypox virus spread?

Monkeypox can be spread from animal to human and from person to person .

Through contact with infected animals or eating infected animals that are not adequately cooked.

Through contact with skin or mucosal lesions , oral secretions, respiratory droplets, virus-contaminated objects (such as bedding) of monkeypox patients, etc., it may also be through sexual contact. In addition, there is also the possibility of mother-to-child transmission.

Who is more likely to get monkeypox?

People who live with or have close contact (including sexual contact) with someone with monkeypox .

Health workers who have contact with monkeypox patients or monkeypox virus.

Children , pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

People who have been vaccinated with smallpox vaccine in the past have a certain degree of cross-protection against monkeypox virus. Therefore, people who have not been vaccinated with smallpox vaccine are generally susceptible to monkeypox virus.

How effective is the current treatment for monkeypox? Can it heal on its own?

There is no anti-monkeypox virus drug in China. Treatment mainly includes symptomatic supportive treatment and treatment of secondary bacterial infection.

Monkeypox is a self-limiting disease with a generally good prognosis. Severe cases occur more often in young children and people with weakened immune systems, and the prognosis depends on the strain of virus that infects, the degree of exposure to the virus, previous health conditions, and the severity of complications.

How can ordinary people prevent monkeypox?

In areas where monkeypox is endemic, try to avoid contact with rodents and primates (including sick or dead animals), avoid direct contact with animal blood and meat, and cook them thoroughly before eating. Wear gloves and other appropriate protective equipment when slaughtering or handling infected animals or infected tissues.

People returning from epidemic areas should pay attention to self-health monitoring . If symptoms such as rash occur, they should seek medical attention and inform the attending doctor of their travel history to the epidemic area to assist with diagnosis and treatment.

In daily life, you should try to avoid close contact with people with monkeypox-like symptoms and strengthen personal hand hygiene . If you accidentally come into contact with them, wash your hands with soapy water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you suspect you have monkeypox, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Strengthening monitoring, early detection, early reporting, early isolation, and timely and effective preventive measures can greatly reduce the risk of infection and effectively control the spread of the epidemic.

Comprehensive sources: National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xinhua News Agency, etc.

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