The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Sweden became the first country outside of Africa to report a case of the emerging clade I variant of mpox, on August 15, 2024. Due to the rapid spread of clade 1b, a variant of clade 1, the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In the United States, mpox has been detected in wastewater at three locations, mainly in California and Illinois, linked to clade II, which was part of the 2022 outbreak. The more dangerous clade I, common in Africa, has not been detected in the US.
Statistics and Spread:
In 2024, over 2,100 confirmed mpox cases and 13 deaths were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and eleven other countries, including Burundi, Cameroon, and Nigeria. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, which saw 1,145 confirmed cases and seven deaths.
Vaccine Development:
In response to the outbreak, the WHO is fast-tracking the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) process for mpox vaccines. This effort aims to make vaccines more accessible to low-income countries that lack national regulatory approval, strengthening global public health defenses against the crisis.
About Mpox:
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by the mpox virus, part of the Orthopoxvirus genus. It was first identified in 1958 in monkeys used for research. Mpox spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person’s lesions, body fluids, or respiratory droplets. Symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, lasting 2-4 weeks. Though historically found in Africa, cases surged globally in 2022. The smallpox vaccine offers some protection against mpox, and animals like rodents and primates can also spread the virus.
Facts About World Health Organization
- WHO: The World Health Organization was started in 1948 and is part of the United Nations, based in Geneva.
- Members: It has 194 countries working together on health issues around the world.
- HIV Test: In 1985, WHO approved the first blood test to detect HIV.
- Smallpox: WHO’s advice helped eliminate smallpox by 1980.
- World Health Day: Every year, April 7 is celebrated as “World Health Day” by WHO.
- Antimicrobial Resistance: In 2017, WHO called the problem of bacteria becoming resistant to drugs a global health emergency.
- Health Rules: WHO manages rules on how countries should respond to public health threats.
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