Monkeypox: Symptoms, Spread, and Global Health Emergency
The resurgence of monkeypox, a viral disease previously thought to be eradicated, has raised concerns. This resurgence has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to convene an emergency meeting to assess the situation.
Symptoms of Monkeypox:
- Exanthema (skin rash or lesions)
- Fever
- Headaches, muscle and joint pain
- Swollen breasts
- Weakness or fatigue
- Shaking
How is Monkeypox Spread?
Monkeypox is primarily transmitted through direct physical contact with infected people. It can also be spread through:
- Sexual relations
- Contaminated materials
- Contact with infected animals
Global Health Emergency:
The alarming increase in cases in Africa has led some experts to call for a declaration of a global health emergency. This classification is the highest level of alert issued by the WHO and is only activated when a disease shows a global increase.
Previous Global Health Emergencies:
The WHO has previously declared global health emergencies for several other diseases, including:
- 2009: H1N1 influenza pandemic
- 2014: Polio outbreak in Central Asia
- 2014: Ebola outbreak in Guinea
- 2016: Zika outbreak in Brazil
- 2018: Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- 2020: Covid-19 outbreak in China
- 2022: Monkeypox outbreak in Europe
Conclusion:
Understanding the symptoms and mode of transmission of monkeypox is crucial in the current situation. While the largest outbreak is currently in Africa, the possibility of its spread to other parts of the world remains a concern.