Several factors may contribute to whether the WHO considers Monkeypox a world emergency. A WHO declaration can prompt further guidance from the organization and focus member states' attention on the outbreak. This declaration may also encourage countries to share vaccines and treatments. As a result, the WHO is in a precarious position following the COVID outbreak. However, despite the challenges, governments should continue to work together to help combat monkeypox.
Monkeypox test samples at La Paz Hospital, Madrid, Spain - Photo: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez
The disease is not spread through airborne transmission but close contact and touching the blisters of affected individuals. However, it is believed to be spreading more rapidly than ever before. The WHO is planning a meeting on June 23 to discuss the situation. The designation of the disease as a PHEIC has legal implications. If a PHEIC is declared, countries must implement its recommendations within 72 hours.
Vaccination against Monkeypox is an integral part of the response, although many countries' vaccine supplies are low and limited. Older smallpox vaccines, eradicated more than 30 years ago, do not meet today's safety standards. Newer, safer vaccines are available and are recommended. In particular, the MVA-BN vaccine is approved for the prevention of Monkeypox.
While Monkeypox has been circulating in Africa for decades, it has been largely ignored in Europe. Because of its limited contagiousness has been relatively difficult to control, with outbreaks not adequately investigated. As a result, the WHO has proposed a vaccine-sharing mechanism whereby doses are shared among rich countries. Britain has the largest monkeypox outbreak outside of Africa, which recently widened its use of vaccines.
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While it is not as spreadable as COVID, its presence outside of Africa is cause for alarm. Over three thousand cases in 40 countries have been reported. Many cases have been men who have had sexual intercourse, and there are no reports of deaths so far. The WHO is currently working to assess if the outbreak is a global health emergency that warrants PHEIC (Public Health Emergency Instrument) status.
The World Health Organization is convening an emergency committee meeting this Friday to assess the outbreak's impact. Scientists have not yet found any mutations in the monkeypox virus, but a declaration would help the epidemic. However, many scientists still doubt whether a WHO declaration would help curb the outbreak since it is not clear how the virus spreads and where it is most prevalent. If the World Health Organisation declares the outbreak a global emergency, it must work with countries to implement rapid response plans.
As the outbreak spreads outside of Africa, WHO is working with partners and experts to rename the virus, which is currently called the West African or Congo Basin. The disease was initially discovered in a Danish laboratory in 1958. Since the virus is still not genetically altered, it is not believed to be an African disease, and the current outbreak has no connection to the continent. Therefore, WHO is urging countries to implement effective vaccination policies and prevent the spread of the virus.
Health officials have also begun offering vaccines against Monkeypox, despite concerns that the disease only affects gay men. However, while homosexual men are more likely to develop Monkeypox, anyone with close contact with an infected individual is also susceptible. For example, Clemens Wendtner, who treated the first patient of Monkeypox in Germany in May, said the virus is primarily spread through sex at rave parties.
This outbreak is unique in that it has unusually varied symptoms. While the classic symptoms of Monkeypox include the early flu-like phase, most cases are characterized by widespread lesions. Some individuals may have only mild lesions. In addition, some patients may have begun in the anal and genital areas. Clinicians report that it is difficult to differentiate these cases from common sexually transmitted infections.
