Monkeypox becoming established in non-endemic countries warns Tedros; calls for more testing, vaccines to end COVID pandemic |
At a press conference in Geneva, update on both current Monkey smallpox outbreak and COVID-19, WHO General manager, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus note that the 29 countries where the monkeypox virus does not normally circulate, have had confirmed cases.
WHO expert and technical lead on the monkeypox outbreak, Dr Rosamund Lewis, said the currently reported cases, mainly in the endemic area, were still “predominantly male having sex”. same-sex sex.
“There are a few reports of cases in women… at the moment there is still a chance to prevent further spread of the monkey pox in those most at risk right now. ”
Go undetected
The The “sudden and unexpected” appearance of monkeypox in these countries suggests that it may have gone undetected for some time.Tedros repeated.
But he added that the virus could be prevented from establishing itself in non-endemic countries if people infected Isolate yourself at home and avoid close contact with others.
To assist countries, WHO has issued guidance on surveillance and contact tracing, as well as laboratory testing and diagnostics.
In the coming days, The agency will issue instructions he added on clinical care, infection prevention and control, immunization, and further guidance on protecting the public.
Last week, WHO held a consultation with more than 500 researchers to look at what we know and don’t know, and identify research priorities.
“We are also working with UNAIDScivil society organizations and the community of men who have sex with men to listen to their questions and provide information about what Monkeypox is and how to prevent it,” said Tedros.
Africans deserve more
So far this year, Africa – which is endemic in several countries – has seen more than 1,400 suspected cases of monkeypox and 56 people have died from the disease.
“This virus has been circulating and killing in Africa for decades,” said Tedros. “It is an unfortunate reflection of the world we live in where the international community’s attention only to monkeypox because it has emerged in high-income countries..
Communities that are living with the threat of this virus on a daily basis deserve the same care, concern, and shared access to the tools to protect themselves.”
COVID-19: Not enough testing and vaccinations yet
The number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to decline, Tedros told journalists, but there hasn’t been enough widespread testing and vaccination to say the pandemic will end.
The downward trajectory is generally “Obviously a very encouraging trend”, he said, with increasing vaccination rates clearly saving many lives, but WHO continues to recommend caution.
“Globally, there are not enough tests, and there are not enough vaccinations. On average, about three-quarters of healthcare workers and people over 60 globally have been immunized. But these rates are much lower in low-income countries.”
He say 68 countries have yet to reach 40% coverageAlthough the vaccine supply is now sufficient, paradoxically in many countries with the lowest vaccination rates there is a shortage.
“WHO and our partners are working with countries to accelerate the uptake of vaccines where people live, through mobile units, door-to-door campaigns,” said Tedros. and by mobilizing community leaders”.
‘Mistake’
“The perception that the pandemic is over is understandable, but misleading,” he added, noting that 7,000 people died from COVID-19 in the past week.
“A new and even more dangerous variant could appear at any timeand a lot of people are still unprotected,” he warned.
“The pandemic is not over yet, and we’ll keep saying it’s not over until it. ”
