(CNN) As cases of monkeypox continue to rise worldwide, the World Health Organization plans to reassess whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
In late June, the WHO’s Emergency Committee decided that the outbreak did not meet the criteria for such a declaration.
But as the virus continues to spread, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wants the committee to take up the issue again, based on the latest data on the epidemiology and evolution of the outbreak.
Tedros said on Wednesday that he would convene the commission within a week of July 18, or sooner if necessary.
The WHO defines a public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, as an “emergency event” that poses a “public health threat to other countries due to the international spread of disease” and that may “require a coordinated international response.”
“With monkeypox, I continue to be concerned about the scale and spread of the virus. Globally, there are now more than 6,000 cases in 58 countries,” Tedros said.
“Testing remains a challenge and it is highly likely that a significant number of cases will be missed,” he added. “Europe is currently the epicenter of the outbreak, recording more than 80% of cases worldwide.”
Monkeypox, a viral disease, occurs mainly in central and western Africa, where the virus is endemic, but as part of the latest outbreak, the virus has spread to many areas of the world where it is not normally found.
Cases are also being reported in African countries previously unaffected by the virus, with record numbers being recorded in places where the virus is endemic, Tedros said on Wednesday. He said WHO teams are closely monitoring the data.
WHO is working with countries and vaccine manufacturers to coordinate the distribution of monkeypox vaccines, which are in short supply. The organization also works with groups to break down the stigma of the virus and spread information to help keep people safe.
“I especially want to commend those who are sharing videos online through social media channels talking about their symptoms and experiences with monkeypox,” he said. “It’s a positive way to break down the stigma of a virus that can affect anyone.”
Preliminary data on the outbreak have shown that gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men make up a large number of reported cases, raising concerns about the disease and stigmatization of the LGBTQ community.
However, anyone who has been in close contact with a carrier of the virus may be at risk.
The monkeypox virus can spread from person to person through direct contact with infectious body fluids or through the rash, scabs, and sores that the disease can cause. It can also be spread through indirect contact, for example through clothing or bedding contaminated with the virus.
It can also be spread through respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or sex.
Symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a skin rash that may look like pimples or blisters.
The rash goes through different stages, developing into pustules before healing.
About 41,500 vaccine courses were distributed in the United States
About 41,500 courses of vaccine distributed in US
About 41,500 courses of the monkeypox vaccine Jynneos have been distributed to states and other jurisdictions across the United States, according to data released Wednesday by the U. This may interest you : Is it a good time to visit Europe? Heat waves, Attacks, Deletion — But Cost Is a Case, Restrictions.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A course of Jynneos involves two doses four weeks apart.
The Biden administration announced last week that the monkeypox vaccine distribution strategy would focus on areas with the highest case rates and overall risk. New HHS data show the District of Columbia has the most reported cases per capita and has received the most vaccine doses per capita.
Vaccine distribution is also highly concentrated in California, Illinois, and New York, particularly in the three largest US cities: New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Massachusetts, Hawaii and Colorado have also received a large portion of the vaccine distribution so far.
Eleven states are reported to have received no monkeypox vaccine; none of them have reported any cases to the CDC.
US monkeypox testing ramps up
There are also efforts to speed up testing for the virus in the US. This may interest you : Travel problems continue across the country and at home.
Labcorp, a commercial laboratory company, will begin monkeypox testing at its largest U.S. facility on Wednesday, doubling the nation’s capacity to test for the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC said Wednesday that Labcorp can receive samples from anywhere in the United States for testing, and the company expects to conduct up to 10,000 tests a week.
The outbreak has resulted in 605 probable or confirmed cases in the United States as of Wednesday evening. Cases have been reported in 34 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Three cases were non-US residents.
“The ability of commercial laboratories to test for monkeypox is a key pillar of our comprehensive strategy to combat the disease,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Wednesday. “This not only increases testing capacity, but makes it more convenient for providers and patients to access tests by leveraging existing provider relationships.”
If someone thinks they may have a monkeypox infection, a provider must order a test. “The public cannot go to a Labcorp lab and submit a sample,” the CDC said in a statement.
The CDC Laboratory Response Network has conducted most of the monkey-specific testing in the US, but on June 22 the US Department of Health and Human Services announced that monkey testing will be expanded to five commercial laboratories: Aegis Science, Labcorp, Mayo Clinic. Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics and Sonic Healthcare.
The CDC confirmed Wednesday that it has sent the tests to labs and that their staff have been trained to administer the tests. “CDC anticipates that additional commercial laboratories will come online and monkeypox testing capacity will increase throughout the month of July.”
CNN’s Deidre McPhillips and Naomi Thomas contributed to this report.
What is the symptoms of monkeypox?
Symptoms of monkeypox. One of the symptoms of monkeypox is a rash that turns into bumps that then form. See the article : A systematic review of neonatal health interventions in humanitarian settings – World. It usually takes 1-2 weeks after exposure to the monkeypox virus to become sick, but it can take up to 3 weeks.
What is the treatment for monkeypox? There are no specific treatments for monkeypox virus infections. However, monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox can be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.
Does monkeypox cause death?
Is monkeypox fatal? A less severe West African clade is responsible for the current global outbreak (2022). So far, no one has died from this outbreak. But monkeypox can cause other problems (complications) such as pneumonia and infections in the brain (encephalitis) or eyes, which can be fatal.
How does a person get monkeypox?
Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person to person: through direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs or body fluids. respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact or intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or sex.
How many cases of monkeypox are there in the US?
| state | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 31 |
| Florida | 51 |
| Georgia | 11 |
| Hawaii | 6 |
How many cases of monkeypox are there in Texas? News release. June 30, 2022 The Texas Department of State Health Services and local health departments have identified several cases of monkeypox in Texas in people who did not travel outside the state. Public health testing has identified a total of 12 cases of monkeypox in Texas residents.
How common is monkeypox in the US?
Cases of monkeypox in the US are very rare. Monkeypox does not occur naturally in the United States, but there have been cases associated with international travel or the importation of animals from areas where the disease is more common.
How many cases of monkey pox are there in the US?
The U.S. has reported 72 cases of monkeypox in 18 states in the past month, making it the nation’s largest monkey outbreak ever. That total has increased significantly since early June, when just 19 cases were confirmed.
How many people are infected with monkeypox?
Between 1 January and 22 June 2022, 3413 laboratory-confirmed cases and one death have been reported to WHO in 50 countries/territories in five WHO regions. Since the last news of the outbreak on June 17, 1,310 new cases have been reported and eight new countries have reported cases.
What do I do if I have monkeypox?
Symptoms of monkeypox often resolve on their own without the need for treatment. It is important to take care of the rash, allowing it to dry as possible or covering the area with a moist bandage if necessary. Avoid touching sores in the mouth or eyes.
How long does the monkeypox virus last? Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus family Poxviridae. Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting 2 to 4 weeks. Severe cases may occur. More recently, the fatality ratio has been around 3-6%.
What does monkeypox feel like?
The first symptoms are fever, malaise, headache, sometimes sore throat and cough, and lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes). Lymphadenopathy is a distinguishing feature of monkeypox and smallpox. It usually occurs with the onset of fever, 1-2 days before the onset of the rash, or rarely with the onset of the rash.
Do the bumps from monkeypox go away?
It is found mainly in African regions, but has also been seen in other parts of the world. It causes flu-like symptoms, such as fever and chills, and a rash that can take weeks to clear up. There is no proven treatment for monkeypox, but it usually goes away on its own.
How long does it take to get rid of monkeypox?
Monkeypox is usually mild and resolves within 2-4 weeks. The rash goes through several stages, ending with pustules that peel and fall off. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms with simple pain relievers and maintaining fluids.
