No need to close doors yet for monkeypox virus threat
Public Health

No need to close doors yet for monkeypox virus threat

May 22, 2022, 8:50 AM
Rose De La Cruz

Rose De La Cruz

Writer/Columnist

Monkeypox virus is closely being studied and monitored by the World Health Organization. Already, there are about 80 confirmed cases so far and 50 pending investigations. More cases are likely to be reported as surveillance expands. But none has yet been reported in the Philippines.

The World Health Organization and partners are still trying to understand the extent and cause of the monkeypox virus, endemic in some animal populations in some countries. Recent outbreaks reported across 11 countries are still atypical as they occur in non-endemic countries.

There are about 80 confirmed cases so far and 50 pending investigations. More cases are likely to be reported as surveillance expands.

As monkeypox spreads through close contact, the response should focus on the people affected and their close contacts. People who closely interact with someone who is infectious are at greater risk for infection: this includes health workers, household members and sexual partners.

Stigmatizing groups of people because of a disease is never acceptable. It can be a barrier to ending an outbreak as it may prevent people from seeking care, and lead to undetected spread.

In the Philippines, Dr. Ted Herbosa, medical adviser of the National Task Force against COVID 19, said that monkeypox cases reported in other countries are not grounds to close the country’s borders but stressed that monitoring and preparedness will continue, CNN Philippines reported.

Monkeypox is not a mystery illness like Covid-19 which forced us to close our borders. You have seen how this affected tourism, the economy, and supply chain of goods and services. So, it's not enough nor right to close our borders, Herbosa said.

According to Herbosa, monkeypox is considered as a re-emerging infectious disease.

Monkeypox was first detected in 1958 in Africa. It grabbed headlines after 85 cases were reported in various countries the other day.

Vaccine for monkeypox

Experts said the smallpox vaccine may be used against the disease, Herbosa added, but a specified one can be developed.

Monkeypox and smallpox belong to the same family. According to experts, the smallpox vaccine may be used and might be effective against the monkeypox, Herbosa explained.

We can make a vaccine against monkeypox, probably faster than the one we did for Covid-19, he added.

The Department of Health on Friday announced that the disease has not been detected in the country but vowed to monitor its global developments.

The department also urged the public to observe minimum health protocols to prevent its transmission.

Tags: #WHO, #monkeypoxvirus, #NationalCovidTaskForce, #noneedtoclosedoors


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