Virus that has caused hundreds of deaths is spreading rapidly: State of emergency declared
In a statement from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), it was noted that mpox is spreading rapidly across African countries, and the public has been warned about the disease.
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The statement reported that certain measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus.
The statement, which noted that a health declaration form has been prepared for international travelers to prevent the spread of mpox, stated that every passenger entering the country is required to fill out the health declaration form.
According to a report published by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on August 9, 2,822 people in 13 African countries contracted the virus between January and August 8, and 14,719 suspected cases were recorded.
STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED
Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), made a statement regarding the mpox outbreak.
Kaseya said, "Declaring mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security is not an arbitrary decision, but a responsibility."
Calling on governments in Africa to work with the Africa CDC to prevent the spread of mpox, Kaseya pledged to bring vaccines to the continent to combat the outbreak. Kaseya stated that weekly meetings would be held regarding case and death numbers.
SPREAD TO 13 COUNTRIES
According to the report published by the Africa CDC on August 9, 2,822 people in 13 African countries contracted the virus between January and August 8, and 14,719 suspected cases were recorded.
A total of 517 people have lost their lives due to the virus, 511 of whom were in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
TRANSMITTED FROM BOTH ANIMALS AND HUMANS
The mpox virus is transmitted from rodents such as mice and squirrels or from infected individuals.
Touching the skin rashes caused by the virus, using items such as clothing, bed sheets, or towels contaminated with these rashes, and contact with body fluids are among the most significant causes of transmission.
Initial symptoms can appear 5 to 21 days after contracting the virus.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The virus generally causes high fever, headache, back and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, chills, shivering, and blisters on the skin similar to chickenpox.
There is no specific treatment method for the disease, and it is treated with antiviral drugs.
The vast majority of cases experience the disease mildly and recover within a few weeks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) changed the name "monkeypox" to "mpox" in 2022 due to concerns over racism and discrimination.