Mpox no longer a global health emergency: WHO

Source: The post is based on the article “Mpox no longer a global health emergency: WHO” published in The Hindu on 12th May 2023

What is the News?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that Mpox (formerly monkeypox) no longer constitutes a global health emergency.

What is Mpox?

Mpox (monkeypox) is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. 

Symptoms: Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

Transmission: Mpox can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.

Laboratory confirmation of mpox is done by testing skin lesion material by PCR.

Treatment: Mpox is treated with supportive care.Vaccines and therapeutics developed for smallpox and approved for use in some countries can be used for mpox in some circumstances.

– In 2022–2023 a global outbreak of mpox was caused by a strain known as clade IIb.

Prevention: Mpox can be prevented by avoiding physical contact with someone who has pox. Vaccination can help prevent infection for people at risk.