World Health Organization reports decrease in Monkeypox cases
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show a decrease in global monkeypox cases after a high of more than 6,000 cases in August.
This was reported by City Health Services Office head Dr. Rowena Galpo last Tuesday during the management committee meeting.
As of Sept. 30, there are 67,556 confirmed cases with 27 deaths in 106 countries reporting the presence of Monkeypox in their areas of responsibility.
The WHO epidemic curve as of Sept. 25 shows a majority of the cases in the United States region, followed by the European and a sprinkling of cases in the African region.
From Jan. 1 to Sept. 28; there were 41,966 cases and 5 deaths in the United States; 24,637 and five deaths in the European region. From the African region, 697 cases and 15 deaths were recorded; in the Western Pacific region, 181 cases without any death were recorded; In the Eastern Mediterranean region, 54 were recorded with one death; while in the southeast Asia region, there were 21 cases with one death.
There were 3,661 cases in the past week, data shows.
Decrease shown as to a 7-day change in cases are: – 6% in the US; – 12% in the European Region; a negative one hundred percent (- 100%) in the African region; – 12% in the Western Pacific region; – 50% in the Eastern Mediterranean region; and – 100% in the Southeast Asian region.
A total of -7% summarizes the global decrease of monkeypox.
Monkeypox is a viral disease which can be transmitted from rodents to humans, or human-to-human through direct and indirect contact with a patient and infected materials. The symptoms are chills, body pains, tiredness and rashes which may appear three days after a fever. Blisters may appear on the face, and later, in other parts of the body.
The patient should isolate, be hydrated and keep healthy with nutritious intake and hygienic surroundings. Complications, however, may be deep scars, blindness, other infections and in rare occasions, death.
In the Philippines, there were 4 documented monkeypox patients; three with travel histories, and one assumed to be infected locally, though there is no confirmation yet for this information.
Baguio residents still have to be careful, Dr. Galpo said, with Covid-19 protocols to be followed to prevent monkeypox. The use of fitted facemask, air circulation, physical distancing, hand and personal hygiene should still be the norm, Dr. Galpo ended. – JGF
