WHO announces global response plan for Mpox virus

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a written statement regarding the global strategic preparedness and response plan launched to bring the Mpox virus under control. WHO called on member states and partners to mobilize to implement the actions necessary to combat the virus.

The statement noted that WHO member states were informed about the current plan on August 23, and that this plan was created following the WHO's declaration of the Mpox virus as a "public health emergency of international concern" on August 14.

Within the scope of the plan, it was stated that 135 million dollars in funding will be needed for the six-month period covering September 2024 to February 2025 for the WHO and its partners to respond to the virus. In this context, the WHO announced that it will soon launch a funding appeal.

The plan, developed by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is based on the implementation of comprehensive surveillance, prevention, preparedness, and response strategies. Furthermore, advancing research on the virus, ensuring equitable access to tests and vaccines, and minimizing animal-to-human transmission are among the key components of the plan.

The statement emphasized that strategic vaccination efforts will be applied to individuals at the highest risk in order to break chains of transmission. These individuals include close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers.

The WHO stated that it will collaborate with a wide range of partners at international, national, and local levels to coordinate global response and preparedness processes.

'THE OUTBREAK CAN BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL'

In the statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "The Mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries can be controlled and stopped." Ghebreyesus stated that a comprehensive and coordinated action plan is needed among international organizations, national and local partners, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and WHO member states to bring the outbreak under control.

WHAT IS THE MPOX VIRUS?

The Mpox virus is transmitted from rodents such as mice and squirrels or from infected individuals. The virus spreads through contact with body rashes, the use of infected items, and contact with body fluids.

The first symptoms can appear within 5 to 21 days after contracting the virus, and the disease typically manifests with high fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and blisters on the skin similar to chickenpox.

The WHO announced in 2022 that it had changed the name of the virus from "monkeypox" to "mpox." While there is no specific treatment method for the disease, it is treated with antiviral drugs, and most cases follow a mild course.