July 29, 2022
2 mins read

US, Europe worst hit in global monkeypox outbreak: WHO

Over 18,000 monkeypox cases have been reported to the WHO from 78 countries. More than 70 per cent of these came from the European region and 25 per cent from the America…reports Asian Lite News

Europe and the Americas have been affected the most by the monkeypox outbreak, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists here on Wednesday.

These two regions have reported 95 per cent of the diagnosed cases, he said, warning against stigma and discrimination in monkeypox messaging.

Over 18,000 monkeypox cases have been reported to the WHO from 78 countries. More than 70 per cent of these came from the European region and 25 per cent from the Americas, he said.

He said that 98 per cent of the reported cases have been among men who have sex with men, stressing that stigma and discrimination can be “as dangerous as any virus and can fuel the outbreak.”

“As we have seen with COVID-19 misinformation,” it can spread rapidly online, he said, “so we call on social media platforms, tech companies and news organizations to work with us to prevent and counter harmful information.”

Last Saturday, the WHO officially declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). A PHEIC is the highest level of alert that the United Nations (UN) health body can give.

The WHO has been urging countries to take the monkeypox outbreak seriously by taking the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups. “The best way to do that is to reduce the risk of exposure and make safe choices,” he said.

“For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners, and exchanging contact details with any new partners to enable follow-up if needed.”

Meanwhile, Canada, the European Union and the US have already approved the vaccine called MVA-BN (Modified Vaccinia Ankara – Bavarian Nordic) for use against monkeypox, and two other vaccines are also being assessed. However, due to the lack of data on the effectiveness and dosage of the vaccines, the WHO currently does not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox. It also urges all countries that are administering such vaccines to collect and share critical data on their effectiveness. (ANI/Xinhua)

ALSO READ: Toro warns Asian aggressors will face Western might

Previous Story

Gen Bajwa urges US to expedite release of IMF funds

Next Story

Biden’s climate change legislation gets a big push

Latest from -Top News

Mass Expulsions Close Afghan Shops in Pakistan

As Pakistan intensifies its mass deportation drive against Afghan refugees, the once-bustling Afghan-owned businesses in Rawalpindi are falling silent. With the March 31 deadline for repatriation passed, a growing number of Afghan-run

South Korea Sets June 3 Presidential Election

South Korea will hold a presidential election on June 3, the government confirmed on Tuesday, setting the stage for a new leadership following the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk

RPP Rallies for Return of Nepal’s Monarchy

Police on alert as royalist rallies return to the capital Kathmandu witnessed heightened tensions on Tuesday as the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) staged a high-profile demonstration demanding the reinstatement of Nepal’s
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Blinken thanks Prabowo for Indonesia’s aid to Gaza

Blinken thanked Prabowo for Indonesia’s support for achieving an immediate

India is now Europe’s largest supplier of refined fuels

Europe’s reliance on Indian crude oil products has grown since