WHO declares ‘Monkeypox’ a Public Health Emergency 

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.  

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Key Highlights

• Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. 
• The monkeypox virus (MPXV) is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus.  
• Common Symptoms: Skin rash or mucosal lesions accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. 
• Transmission: Through close contact with infectious person, infected animals and contaminated materials 

 

Origin 

• Discovered in  a monkey in Denmark (1958). 
• First case reported in a 9 months old baby in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  

 

Vaccination

• Two vaccines are currently in use as recommended by the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization.