Monkeypox alert does not mean pandemic

August 27, 2024. – Mpox, caused by monkeypox or monkeypox, will not turn into a global health emergency and we are not facing a pandemic. Experts clarify that the world is not facing a situation similar to covid-19.

The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm about the disease because a variant of the virus, clade I, has a higher mortality rate and has been shown to spread more efficiently between people; however, this does not mean that people should be alarmed by the situation.

Countries have taken steps to prevent and control detected cases, including Venezuela, which in recent days announced a national MPOX protocol for a comprehensive approach to identification, management and surveillance that includes vaccine procurement, training and communication strategies, among other actions.

Últimas Noticias spoke with the Deputy Minister of the Collective Health Network, Jesús Osteicochea, who detailed that the protocol had come into force through a declaration of last August 19, and that, although it has a similar general structure to covid-19, the countries have important differences in their epidemiological surveillance systems, given the characteristics of each disease.

He pointed out that MPox is caused by the MPox virus, which is an orthopoxvirus that is mainly transmitted through direct contact with wounds or body fluids and less commonly through the air, which is very different from COVID-19.

Symptoms include fever, headache, myalgia, swollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rash. Testing is done using PCR testing for viral DNA, and management ranges from supportive care and specific antiviral drugs to “a more localized response approach and centralized surveillance.”

Additionally, quarantine and precautions also differ from Covid-19, which requires masks and physical distancing, while MPOX is managed through injury isolation and standard and contact precautions.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, people have taken voluntary measures to prevent transmission, such as physical distancing and limiting movement, but these actions, while necessary, have generated misinformation and alarm due to the virus’s high contagiousness and impact on daily life.

Therefore, for MPOX, preventive measures are less disruptive to daily life activities and include isolating patients with visible lesions.
MPOX does not spread as quickly as coronavirus because transmission requires close contact with wounds or fluids and is not easily spread through the air.

“This means that there has been less alarm and misinformation associated with MPox precautions, which have focused primarily on the management of visible lesions and protection in healthy and close contact settings, rather than leading to fundamental changes in daily behavior. The difference in the type of precautions and their impact on people reflects less disruption than the strict restrictions imposed during the covid-19 pandemic,” the deputy minister said.
protocol

He noted that the programme is part of the country’s epidemiological surveillance system, which in this case was used for the early detection of MPOX, which is classified as febrile vesiculotomy syndrome.

The plan focuses on observing signs and symptoms, combined with new technologies, control measures, real-time surveillance and the ability to issue rapid alerts on outbreak risks.

He said the implementation of the national MPOX protocol had been stepped up following the global alert, with monitoring at entry points such as airports, ports and borders, and travellers being equipped with mandatory cards so that they could be vetted and possible cases detected from the outset.

For suspected cases, assessments will be conducted, samples collected and notified to the authorities, while identification, sampling and prevention measures will be carried out in the country.

Another point of the protocol is educating the community and managing contacts, as well as monitoring them to detect and control the spread.
Treatment. For the plan, People Power Health outlined several resources and strategies that, while not specific treatments, will focus on relieving symptoms and preventing complications and long-term consequences.

Osteicochea stressed that health teams are ready to provide adequate medical care in accordance with WHO recommendations.

On the other hand, “a vaccine is beginning to be available to strengthen the epidemiological fence,” aimed at high-risk groups such as pregnant women, sex workers, people with multiple sexual partners, close contacts of confirmed cases and immunosuppressed patients.

“This vaccine is being procured to provide additional protection to these vulnerable groups,” he commented.
Personal Care

The authorities stressed that travelers’ monitoring forms must be filled with information such as whether they have had contact with people, whether they have been to areas where the epidemic has broken out, and whether they have developed symptoms.

Follow the preventive measures announced through official channels and at the individual level, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after touching your face or contaminated surfaces.

Direct contact with the skin lesions of infected people should be avoided, and people should not come into contact with the skin lesions or body fluids of MPOX patients, nor should they share clothes, towels, and personal items.

It is mandatory to use masks, gloves and protective clothing; avoid contact with confirmed cases. If in doubt, isolate yourself at home, avoid contact with other people, inform the authorities and follow their advice.

WHO asks for $135 million to fight measles

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported that the organization has developed a plan to help combat the poxvirus (monkeypox) outbreak.

“We have developed a global strategic MPO preparedness and response plan with our partners, which we shared with all member states on Friday and released today,” Tedros said in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, according to the international portal.

“The plan requires $135 million over the next six months to control the outbreak through comprehensive surveillance and response,” he said at the opening of the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, attended by health ministers from 47 African countries.
Vaccination

The German government announced on Monday that it would donate 100 million doses of the MPOX vaccine as part of efforts to curb the disease on the African continent.

The doses will come from the German Army’s stockpile and will be distributed to the affected regions, German administration spokesman Steffen Hebestreit announced.