Earlier this week, World Health Organization (WHO) officials stress Some believe that the mpox virus is not a new COVID-19 virus because we know how to deal with its spread. However, the current outbreak is steadily growing, alarming medical experts. Two different versions of the mpox virus are involved in the outbreak. One caused a global pandemic in 2022-2023, and the other New, mutated and potentially more deadly strains.
So far, most of the cases of the deadly strain, known as the Ib lineage, have occurred in Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thailand It is the second country outside Africa to report lineage 1b cases, after Sweden last week. BBCThe infected 66-year-old European man Residence The Thai man arrived in Bangkok on August 14 from an unnamed African country.
WHO Declared A Public Health Emergency of International Concern was declared on August 14. Cases have been reported in at least 14 African countries, with Congo reporting more than 1,000 cases in a week. African health officials urge for vaccinations(Smallpox vaccine Effective for mpoxBecause viruses are related.
other Recently discovered cases Around the world — in Spain, Taiwan,Pakistan, Philippines — strain II. Both types of the disease cause flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, but the Ib strain is generally considered to be more deadly. 1 in 10 people die In some outbreaks, survival rates are greater than 99.9%, whereas clade II survival rates are greater than 99.9%.
Nevertheless, current outbreaks of both strains continue to spread. Speaking to Salon about the outbreak earlier this month, World Health Organization (WHO) officials explained that while they are concerned, they are taking aggressive measures.
“The possible spread of the infection to other countries and regions is of great concern,” the WHO said. “The risk of further spread remains and WHO is working with countries in the region to strengthen preparedness, surveillance and cross-border coordination.”
A spokesman for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the public health agency was “closely monitoring” the situation in the US.
“Given how widespread lineage I outbreaks are in Central and East Africa, it is not surprising that occasional travelers are being diagnosed with the infection,” Dave Daigle said in a statement. “Rapid detection and containment of any MPOX cases is key to stopping the spread of MPOX.”
