Monkeypox Outbreak of 2024 Poses Global Health Challenge
New Delhi, Aug 25: Monkeypox (Mpox) has resurfaced prominently in 2024, with the current outbreak affecting a broader global demographic than the 2022 incidents, according to a recent report in The Lancet.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains the epicenter, with the virus spreading beyond Africa, causing significant international concern due to the emergence of a new clade, 1b. This variant is noted for its higher transmissibility and potential for more severe outcomes.
Health organizations globally are struggling to contain the virus amid limited vaccine availability, insufficient testing, and the simultaneous management of other public health threats. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), while the Africa CDC has designated it a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
As of the latest data, Africa has reported 18,737 Mpox cases (3,101 confirmed and 15,636 suspected) across 12 countries, resulting in 541 deaths. This is a significant increase from 2023, which saw 14,838 cases (1,665 confirmed and 13,173 suspected) and 738 deaths across seven countries.
Unlike the 2022 outbreak that mainly affected men who have sex with men, the 2024 outbreak spans a wider demographic, impacting men, women, and children. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, children under 15 account for 66% of cases and more than 82% of fatalities.
Merawi Aragaw Tegegne from the Africa CDC highlighted the endemic nature of Mpox in the region, stressing the inevitability of exposure. However, the severe lack of testing and surveillance, particularly with less than 30% of cases being tested in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, obscures the full scope of the outbreak.
In India, there are currently no reported cases, and the government remains vigilant. Mpox is a viral disease characterized by fevers, headaches, muscle aches, and painful skin boils.
By [Journalist’s Name], [Publication Name]
Original Story https://www.greaterkashmir.com/health/mpox-impacting-a-broader-demographic-warns-lancet-report/
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