On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox as a global threat. The WHO flagged it as a PHEIC or public health emergency of international concern, which is the highest level of warning issued by the WHO. PHEIC is “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response.”

WHO’s emergency declaration on monkeypox comes a day after the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared it to be a public health emergency on the continent. WHO said there have been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in Africa this year, which already exceed last year’s figures. Monkeypox has now been detected in at least 13 African countries. So far, more than 96% of all cases and deaths are in a single country — Congo. WHO said monkeypox was recently identified for the first time in four East African countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. All of those outbreaks were linked to the epidemic in Congo.

The monkeypox cases are up by 160% and deaths have increased by 19%.

A new clade, or variant in simple words, has emerged this time. What intensifies the situation is that unlike in previous monkeypox cases, this time the lesions (which are a common occurrence in monkeypox infection) are seen on the genitals. This makes the infection difficult to identify and gives it time to spread to people without the person even knowing that they are infected and are spreading out this infection to others.

Otherwise, in monkeypox infections the lesions are mostly seen in the chest, hands and feet.

“The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said in a press statement.

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Monkeypox can easily spread from an infected person to a healthy one through direct contact like talking or breathing, touching or sex, kissing, oral sex or kissing the skin. People with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk. People can also contract the infection through contaminated objects such as clothing or linens, injuries or even tattoo parlours.

Monkeypox can also occur through animal bites, scratches or coming in contact with the flesh or skin of contaminated animals.

There are certain typical signs of monkeypox seen within 21 days of the infection. The common symptoms are rash, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

The initial signs of monkeypox are fever, muscle ache and sore throat.

The typical sign of monkeypox is a rash that appears as a flat sore. it then develops into a blister and can be itchy. Children, pregnant people and people with weak immune systems are at risk for complications from monkeypox.

Monkeypox has become severe and lead to pneumonia, corneal infection with loss of vision; pain or difficulty swallowing, vomiting and diarrhoea causing severe dehydration or malnutrition; sepsis; inflammation of the brain or encephalitis, heart, rectum (proctitis), genital organs (balanitis) or urinary passages (urethritis); or death.

India reported the first case of monkeypox in 2022. “The first case of monkeypox in WHO South-East Asia Region has been reported from India, in a 35-year old man who arrived from the Middle East earlier this week,” the WHO had confirmed then.

As on 24 July, 2023, a total of 27 confirmed cases of Monkeypox disease have been reported by the States and UTs in the country. This includes 12 cases from Kerala and 15 cases from Delhi.

To stay safe from monkeypox, practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap and water. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of monkeypox, such as rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Use personal protective equipment if caring for someone infected and avoid handling or consuming wild animals, particularly those showing illness. Maintaining cleanliness and vigilance in personal interactions can significantly reduce the risk of contracting or spreading monkeypox.