The spread of monkeypox in a number of countries in the world has increased the anxiety of many about the return of the scenario of the Corona virus that has exhausted humanity for two years, prompting the World Health Organization to publish reassuring news in this regard, indicating the groups threatened by the zoonotic virus.
Today, Thursday, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, revealed that the risk of monkeypox to the general public is low, indicating that it is transmitted through close physical contact with an infected person.
He also indicated during a press conference on the developments of monkeypox, that health workers, family members, and (sexual partners) are more at risk, but that most infected people recover within a few weeks without treatment.
can be contained
Al-Mandhari added that 157 confirmed cases of infection have been reported worldwide, including one confirmed case in the Middle East that was reported by the UAE on May 24, noting that at this stage, monkeypox can be contained in our region.
He added that the reporting of monkeypox cases in countries other than their homeland is a stark reminder that the world will continue to face outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging diseases. The key lesson here is that countries should continue to invest in strengthening preparedness and response capacities.
“In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, our main priority is to stop the transmission of the disease,” he added.
laboratory diagnosis
Also, he said, “We are now in a much stronger position to do so as a result of the COVID-19 response and response efforts over the past two and a half years, which have strengthened our capacity in the areas of surveillance and laboratory diagnosis, allowing us to more effectively identify and confirm cases before it increases.” Virus spread.
This zoonotic disease requires a rigorous “One Health” approach, and strong collaboration between human, animal and environmental health agencies and institutions is required, said the WHO Regional Director. The World Health Organization is working closely with partners and countries to determine the source of infection, how the virus is spread, and how to limit its transmission.
Also, he explained that, as with any infectious disease, stopping the transmission of the disease requires raising awareness in the general public, so that it does not develop at a rapid pace.