The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared ampox a world health emergency. This is the second time in the last 2 years that WHO has declared ampox a global public health emergency. This announcement has been made after the outbreak of viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the ampox virus has now spread to the neighboring countries of Congo. Ampox is the same infection which was earlier known as monkeypox.
Let us tell you that when the World Health Organization declared ampox a world health emergency 2 years ago, this disease started spreading all over the world. Its effect was most felt by those men who had sexual relations with other men. Along with making people aware about the prevention of this disease, WHO also encouraged safe sex and vaccinated people on a large scale.
Ampox is an infection that has been a public health problem in parts of Africa for decades. The first case of ampox in humans was reported in 1970 in Congo and outbreaks have been increasing since then.
Currently, the highest outbreak of ampox is also being seen in Congo. Due to this disease, the situation here has become very frightening. Awareness campaign is being run to protect people from infection. Let us tell you that since January 2023, 27 thousand cases have been reported in Congo, while 1100 patients have died. Most of the people affected by ampox are children.
Who is most affected by Mpox?
Ampox can generally prove to be very dangerous for children, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems such as those suffering from HIV. Two strains of ampox are now spreading rapidly in Congo. First – endemic form i.e. the virus spreading rapidly in a particular place and second – its new descendants.
What are the symptoms of ampox?
Common symptoms of ampox include fever, chills, body ache. While in severe cases, sores may appear on hands, face, chest and private parts. Pus oozes from the sores. This disease is usually mild, but can be fatal.
What is the concern about Ampox?
This new form of the virus has sparked medical concern globally because it is spreading rapidly and medical experts know very little about it. It is being transmitted sexually as well as through other contact channels, such as among children in camps in parts of Congo. Ampox has spread from eastern Congo to Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Kenya.
What will happen next?
Medical experts hope that the declaration of a World Health Emergency will accelerate efforts to collect more medical equipment and funds in Congo to help the authorities deal with the disease outbreak. Better surveillance is needed to study the virus and help prevent the spread. However, it is also true that the World Health Organization appealed for $ 34 million to fight ampox in 2022, but it did not have much effect. Along with this, the vaccine could not reach all the people in the affected areas. There was a huge inequality in the vaccination program. Now even after 2 years, the same situation persists. However, efforts are being made to change the situation.
How much should one fear Ampox?
Mpox is a serious health problem that is affecting some of the world’s most vulnerable people, including children, and a variant is potentially spreading rapidly in new ways and in new parts of Africa, but it is not COVID-19. There is no evidence yet that it spreads as easily through the air as COVID. So there are tools that have been proven to prevent its spread and help those at risk.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)