WHO sets alert on monkey pox

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said the Monkey pox global outbreak is now a public health emergency of international concerns. This was reported by Baguio City Health Services Office (HSO) head Dr. Rowena Galpo during the management committee meeting at city hall last week. Medical reports state that symptoms of the contagious illness are fever, appearance of rash or lesion though of slow development, and distributed at the face, palm and sole. There is lymphadenopathy or swelling of the lymph nodes or glands located in the neck, armpits, groin, chest and abdomen which affects its function of filtering bodily fluids and fighting off internal infection. If the malfunction involving the nodes are unchecked or untreated, monkeypox may escalate resulting to death, data showing it to be 10% of total cases.
    The administration of smallpox vaccine, which is given for the childhood disease, may give 85% protection, Dr. Galpo said.
    The protocols for keeping monkeypox at bay is the same with that in avoiding Covid-19: keeping hands clean and off the face, physical distancing, and keeping the mask on as the disease is transmitted through bodily fluids which includes the saliva and nasal discharge.
    The incubation period is 7 to 14 days and symptoms may disappear in two to three weeks without treatment. Very close contact with infected persons or materials is required for the virus’ transmission, and a majority of the cases emanated from men having sex with men (MSM), it was reported. The source remains unknown however, though African rodents and non-human primates such as monkeys might harbor virus and infect humans.  
Monkeypox was detected in 1958, in monkeys used for research.  
    As to reports, monkeypox is detected in 71 countries, Japan being the latest; and heavily concentrated in Europe. There are five deaths in Africa, it was known.
    There are no reports of monkey pox yet in the country.