- On July 23, 2022, the WHO declared MPOX or monkeypox an international health emergency.
- During the last three months, cases worldwide fell by 90% compared to the previous quarter, so it was decided to put an end to this health emergency.
- So far, 27 deaths have been identified in Mexico, of which 26 are directly related to MPOX infection.
Gradually the world begins to return to a New Normal after three difficult years. With this in mind, Due to a drastic decrease in new cases of MPOX (monkey pox), the WHO decreed the end of the health emergency caused by this infection. But what does this decision really mean?
The beginning of the international health emergency
First of all, it is necessary to remember that On July 23, 2022, this disease was declared an international health emergency. The objective of this measure was to activate the necessary protocols to contain a viral outbreak and prevent it from becoming a pandemic. The last time the WHO made such a decision was in January 2020 with COVID-19.
However, according to the WHO, MPOX cases reported in the last three months were down 90% from the previous quarter. While in the category of deaths the decrease has been even greater.
According to Dr Tedros Adhanonthese results were achieved thanks to global mobilization and rapid response from most countries, as well as pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies.
“We must applaud the work of public health authorities and community organizations. They reacted quickly and widely to inform people at risk, encourage and support behavior change, and advocate for access to testing, vaccines, and treatment.”
WHO declares the end of the health emergency by MPOX
Due to the above, the WHO decreed the end of the health emergency by MPOX. At the same time, he stressed that the reduction in cases does not mean that countries should neglect surveillance or limit access to tests and vaccines, as is happening in some nations.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
“I have accepted that advice, and am pleased to declare that #mpox is no longer a global health emergency”-@DrTedros https://t.co/MAZi0HgFjq pic.twitter.com/fuBQDwrdhX
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 11, 2023
The head of the health agency was pleased with the steady progress in controlling the outbreak, but warned that stigma has been and continues to be an obstacle to obtaining care needed to prevent or treat MPOX.
Cases began to be reported a year ago
The current outbreak began in early 2022 in Europe and soon spread to the rest of the planet. Since then, the WHO has documented more than 87,000 cases and 140 deaths in 111 countries.
He also explained that, although there is a global downward trend, the virus continues to be transmitted in certain communities and countries, including the Western Pacific, in addition to travel-related cases.
In Mexico the disease remains active
On the other hand, the biggest drawback is that despite the WHO announcement in Mexico the MPOX outbreak remains active. According to the Fortnightly Technical Report on Epidemiological Surveillance in Mexico, as of May 1, 2023, 6,776 people who meet the operational definition of probable case were identified. Of these, 4,010 were confirmed, 237 are under study, and 2,529 were ruled out by laboratory tests.
Similarly, so far 27 deaths have been identified, of which 26 are directly related to MPOX infection. While one is being analyzed by a group of experts in infectious disease and epidemiology to define whether there is a causal association between death and infection.
While another important aspect is that up to now the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) has not authorized the only vaccine developed against MPOX.
Also read:
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