Monkeypox Virus Is A Moderate Public Health Risk, Says WHO

WHO says Monkeypox Virus is a moderate public health risk.

MONKEYPOX VIRUS – The World Health Organization (WHO) says that monkeypox, despite outbreaks overseas, is a moderate public health risk.

In a previous article, among the signs and symptoms of the monkeypox virus, a cousin of smallpox, include fever, chills, exhaustion, headache, and muscle weakness. These flu-like symptoms are also accompanied by swelling in the lymph nodes.

If infected, one may also suffer from rashes inside the mouth, on the palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. And there’s no specific treatment available yet. Despite the outbreaks overseas, the Philippines continues in monitoring but the border remains open.

In the previous week, Dr. Ted Herbosa said that this virus is an old disease. Accordingly, this is not airborne and as infectious as the COVID-19. Last May 20, May 20 confirmed 80 cases of monkeypox across 11 countries while they investigate 50 other cases.

And in the latest data, WHO confirmed 257 cases in 23 countries while there are 117 to 127 suspected cases still under investigation. A statement indicated that this virus poses a moderate risk to global public health.

The public health risk will only get high “if the virus exploits opportunity to establish itself as a human pathogen and spreads to groups at higher risk of severe disease such as young children and immunosuppressed persons”.

Smallpox virus has been eradicated years ago. There were vaccines and drugs developed to eradicate this and it’s expected that these will also give people protection against monkeypox. Despite the low risk at present, the global health agency noted that it might not stay that way.

They added, “immediate actions of countries are still required to control further spread among groups at risk, prevent spread to the general population and avert the establishment of monkeypox as a clinical condition and public health problem in currently non-endemic countries.”