Azerbaijan news

The head of the World Health Organization is concerned about the spread of monkeypox

The Secretary-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Ghebreyesus, declared a public health emergency of international concern on July 23 due to the spread of monkeypox.

According to the latest data of the World Health Organization, since May, more than 16 thousand cases of this disease have been registered in about 70 countries.

This disease, which affects both animals and humans and is similar in symptoms to smallpox, is usually milder. The disease is observed with high fever, muscle pain, characteristic rash and itching. There is no specific treatment for this, monkeypox usually goes away on its own within 2-4 weeks. But deaths from this disease have also been recorded.

According to Gebreyesus, the members of the World Health Organization committee could not agree on whether the current epidemic should be declared an international emergency. In this regard, he personally made the decision as the head of the organization.

At the same time, he stressed that the risks of infection are uneven – higher in Europe than in other parts of the world.

Gebreyesus said his declaration of a state of emergency does not mean governments will take specific measures, but it could prompt increased funding for vaccines and vaccine production.

Monkey flower was first discovered in 1958. By May 2022, most cases were reported in Africa, but in May the disease began to spread rapidly in Europe.

The vast majority of diseases are men aged 18-50 who have sex with other men. Monkeypox is prevented by the smallpox vaccine, which was given to everyone born before the end of the 1970s.

There is also a direct vaccine against monkeypox that is used for risk groups.

Meanwhile, the number of cases of infection with COVID-19 is increasing again. But the number of deaths remains at a lower level compared to the first period of the pandemic.

Radio Liberty



Azerbaijan news

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button