Mpox in Africa
United Nations: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a World Health Emergency over the growing threat of measles. Measles, also known as monkeypox, is spreading rapidly in 13 African countries, including Congo. So far 524 people have died from this disease. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a media briefing after the IHR Emergency Committee meeting on the rise of measles. He said that this is the second time in three years that measles has reached emergency status. He said that WHO is working on the measles outbreak in Africa.
‘Advice of the committee accepted’
In a statement, the WHO Director-General said, “Last week I announced that I was convening an emergency committee under the International Health Regulations to assess the spread of ampox in Congo and other countries in Africa. The emergency committee has now met and advised me that in their view the situation with regard to ampox is a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted the advice of the committee.”
Ampox may spread outside Africa
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that a new cluster of ampox has been detected in eastern Congo and it is spreading rapidly to neighboring countries. It has now knocked in places where ampox was not reported earlier. It is likely to spread in Africa and beyond, which is extremely worrying. The WHO Director-General said that a coordinated international response is necessary to stop the growing threat of ampox in other parts of Africa and save lives.
WHO is ready to work
A global health emergency is the highest level of alarm under international health law. The WHO Director-General said the World Health Organization is committed to coordinating a global response in the coming days and weeks, working closely with every affected country to contain the spread of the disease, treat those infected, and save lives.
Terrible conditions prevail in Congo
Let us tell you that cases of ampox have been reported in Congo for more than a decade and the number of cases reported every year has steadily increased. Last year, there was a significant increase in reported cases and this year the number of cases reported so far has exceeded last year’s total, with more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths. (IANS)
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