WHO issues the highest level of alert for monkeypox, what are the symptoms of monkeypox infection and how to prevent it

The World Health Organization announced on the 23rd that the monkeypox epidemic is a public health emergency of international concern, which means that the monkeypox epidemic has the same level as the COVID-19 epidemic and is the highest warning.

Xinhua News Agency analysis believes that this is since the monkeypox cases have been reported in many European and American countries since May, and the epidemic has spread rapidly in many parts of the world. At the end of June, the WHO Emergency Committee held a meeting to assess the global outbreak. At this time, the number of countries and regions with cases has reached 47, and the number of confirmed cases reported is 3040. This does not include the situation that some countries with poor medical conditions have not reported, but at that time WHO assessed the monkeypox epidemic. , has not reached a higher level.

On July 21, the WHO Emergency Committee met again to discuss the monkeypox epidemic. At this time, the number of countries with epidemics had exceeded 70, reaching 75, with more than 16,000 cases and several deaths. Although there was no consensus within the WHO Emergency Committee, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus decided to declare the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, raising the epidemic level to the highest. At the press conference, Tedros said that the committee is only responsible for providing advice and reference to the Director-General, but the decision is up to itself.

Tedros said that he made such a decision based on five factors:

The first is the data provided by various countries. The monkeypox epidemic is spreading rapidly, and many countries without confirmed cases have also been recruited.

Second, the monkeypox epidemic has met the three criteria for a public health emergency of international concern, and making this decision is in line with the International Health Regulations;

Third, the discussions and recommendations of the emergency committee have provided theoretical support for the decision;

Fourth, some relevant information about the monkeypox epidemic is still unclear, and there are unknown risks;

Fifth, the monkeypox epidemic may cause international spread, may even affect international traffic, and more importantly, affect health.

However, Tedros then explained that although the level of the monkeypox epidemic has increased, it seems that the monkeypox epidemic is concentrated among male-to-male behaviors, especially among multiple male-to-male behaviors . Therefore, if appropriate measures can be taken , it is possible to prevent the development of the epidemic.

According to relevant data, the countries with the most cases of monkeypox virus are currently in Europe and the Americas, and most of them are transmitted by men to men, with only a few cases in children. This is a new trend. Because in the previous cases, most of them were in West and Central Africa, mainly women and children. Because of the current situation, the World Health Organization considers the European region to be at high risk for monkeypox outbreaks and other regions to be at medium risk.

So, what symptoms do patients have after being infected with monkeypox virus?

Cohen, a 39-year-old man who now lives in New York, said he had been infected with monkeypox for two weeks and felt unbearable and even screamed. After being infected in July, Cohen first had fever and swollen lymph nodes. Before the test results came out, the rash spread on his body. At the most, there were at least 50 skin lesions and urticaria all over the body , and the anorectal rash and ulcers became open. Sexual wounds, every time I go to the toilet or take a shower, I scream loudly in pain. It takes 2 hours to take a shower. He said that in the past two weeks, he feels that life is worse than death.

When asked about the cause of the infection, he said that he had sex with several men at the end of June. On July 1, he developed fever, chills, muscle aches, and his lymph nodes swelled to 5 cm beyond his throat. Most ironically, Cohen is involved in reproductive health and rights philanthropy.

Cohen expressed his dissatisfaction with the treatment in the United States. He said that he only got the results 4 days after the examination, and he did not receive treatment for a long time after that. After 2 weeks of symptoms, he received relevant telephone inquiries, but he did not give specifics. He believes that the current monkeypox epidemic may have become an epidemic.

In fact, monkeypox virus is currently believed to be transmitted due to close contact between animals and people, and the probability of human-to-human transmission is relatively small, but if normal people are in close contact with infected people, they may still be infected. The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to smallpox. The initial symptoms of monkeypox infection in humans are mainly inflammatory reactions, such as fever, headache, lymphadenopathy, and generalized muscle pain.

Patients generally develop oral ulcers within 3 days of fever, and rashes on various parts of the body. The rash will develop from maculopapular rash to blisters, pustules, and then crusting within 14 days, and rashes on all parts of the body. Usually develop synchronously. Symptoms of monkeypox last 14 to 21 days, and patients usually resolve on their own. In past monkeypox outbreaks, mortality rates have ranged from 1% to 10%.

However, WHO pointed out that in this outbreak, some cases had a different onset than in the past, with rash lesions confined to the genital, perineal, perianal or perioral areas, usually without further spread, and subsequent lesions associated with the lesions. Lymphadenopathy, fever, pain and other symptoms.

The monkeypox epidemic has become a public health emergency of international concern, so how to prevent infection?

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that has existed for decades since its discovery. In 1970, the first case of human infection with monkeypox was found in Congo (DRC). Since then, most cases reported globally have been distributed in West and Central African countries such as Congo (DRC), Congo (Brazzaville), Central African Republic, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Recently, however, it has appeared on all continents, in addition to Europe, in the United States, Canada and even India, Thailand.

The most common route of transmission of monkeypox

People can become infected when they come into contact with monkeypox-infected animals, people, or objects contaminated with monkeypox virus. Droplet transmission caused by long-term face-to-face contact, or direct contact with body fluids, has the potential to transmit the virus from person to person. Humans can become infected when they are bitten or scratched by wild animals, such as some primates, rodents, and squirrels, or by direct contact with their bodily fluids.

Prevention methods are mainly to reduce the risk of exposure

The WHO said that the main way to prevent monkeypox is to improve people’s understanding of monkeypox risk factors and teach them what to do to reduce exposure to the virus. On the other hand, rapid detection of new cases is essential to control the spread of the virus.

At present, medical staff and patients’ families are at greater risk of contracting monkeypox. Health care workers should take standard infection control precautions when caring for, or handling samples of, patients with suspected or confirmed monkeypox infection. If possible, people who have been vaccinated against smallpox should be chosen to care for the patient.

If ordinary people need to go to places affected by monkeypox virus, they should avoid contact with patients or animals; when caring for patients or handling animals, it is best to wear protective equipment, such as medical gloves or masks, etc. Wash your hands and sanitize; cook all animal products thoroughly before eating; seek medical attention if you have any suspicious symptoms.

In addition, because monkeypox and smallpox belong to the same orthopox virus, the smallpox vaccine can effectively prevent monkeypox infection. Therefore, everyone who has been exposed to monkeypox virus can also be vaccinated.