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Mpox outbreak: WHO convenes emergency meeting as global emergency declaration looms.

The monkeypox (mpox outbreak) originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has since expanded to nine additional African nations.

Following the swift escalation of the mpox outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an urgent meeting. Reports indicate that due to the scale of the viral spread, this United Nations agency may designate it as a global emergency.

The mpox outbreak, which was last noted in 2022-23, has seen a significant escalation since that time. What began as a localized issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has now expanded to nine additional African nations, including Burundi, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, and South Africa.

In the previous year, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented 14,434 suspected cases along with a minimum of 728 fatalities. Currently, during this wave characterized by the more lethal Clade Ib variant, the World Health Organization has reported approximately 11,000 cases and 445 deaths to date.

The infection resembles smallpox, which was successfully eliminated in 1980; however, mpox has remained a topic of concern in central and west Africa. Notably, the first documented human case of mpox was identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970.

The World Health Organization outlines that mpox presents with a variety of symptoms such as rashes, fever, sore throat, headaches, muscle pain, back discomfort, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Transmission of the mpox virus can occur through direct interactions like face-to-face contact, skin-to-skin contact, and mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin exchanges, as well as through respiratory droplets or aerosols during extended close encounters.

Mpox is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from animals to humans. This illness is frequently reported in regions near tropical rainforests, where various animals harbor the virus. According to the WHO factsheet, the monkeypox virus has been detected in several animal species, including squirrels, Gambian pouched rats, dormice, and various types of monkeys, among others.

The WHO highlights that children, pregnant individuals, and those with compromised immune systems face a higher risk of complications from mpox.

Prevention, diagnosis & treatment

The World Health Organization states that recognizing mpox can be challenging because it shares similarities with other viral infections and health issues.

The UN organization emphasized the necessity of differentiating mpox from conditions such as chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, herpes, syphilis, various sexually transmitted infections, and allergies related to medications.

Individuals diagnosed with mpox might also be dealing with another sexually transmitted infection, like herpes. Similarly, a child suspected of having mpox could potentially have chickenpox. This highlights the importance of testing, as it allows for timely treatment and helps to curb further transmission.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the preferred laboratory method for clinically detecting viral DNA in cases of mpox.

The most reliable diagnostic samples come straight from the rash itself, whether it’s skin, fluid, or crusts, obtained through thorough swabbing.

It’s essential to understand that when there are no skin lesions present, testing can be conducted using swabs from the oropharyngeal area, as well as anal or rectal swabs. However, blood testing is not advised.

According to the WHO, the primary aim of mpox treatment is to address the rash, alleviate pain, and avert complications. Timely and supportive care plays a crucial role in managing symptoms and preventing additional issues. Additionally, receiving an mpox vaccine can be an effective way to prevent infection.

The vaccine is most effective when administered within 4 days of exposure to an individual with mpox, although it can still be given up to 14 days later if no symptoms are present. It is advised that those at high risk receive the vaccine to help prevent mpox infection, particularly during an outbreak.

Disputes during the era of mpox.

The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been exacerbated by ongoing civil unrest, which has disrupted the stability of Africa’s second-largest nation. Consequently, the conflict has led to approximately seven million internally displaced individuals residing in temporary camps, where maintaining physical distance and adhering to preventive health measures is nearly unfeasible.

According to a report by the British news agency Reuters, children residing in these camps face significant risks. In a medical facility located in the Congolese city of Goma, nearly fifty percent of the reported infections are among children and adolescents.

Over the course of several decades, approximately 120 rebel factions have engaged in conflict with the Congolese government, a struggle characterized by two significant wars: the First Congo War (1996-1997) and the Second Congo War (1998-2003). The latter is particularly notorious for being the deadliest conflict in human history since World War II, resulting in the loss of 5.4 million lives.

The persistent conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could significantly exacerbate the outbreak, and it is yet to be determined how the World Health Organization and other health organizations will address this situation.

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