(CNN)As the number of cases of monkeypox continues to increase worldwide, the World Health Organization has announced that the outbreak is public. We will reassess whether it constitutes a hygiene emergency. Of international concern.
In late June, the WHO Emergency Committee decided that the outbreak did not meet the criteria for such a declaration.
However, as the virus continues to spread, WHO Secretary-General Tedros Adhanomgebreyes has reiterated the issue by the Commission, based on the latest data on epidemiology and evolution of outbreaks. I want it.
Tedros said on Wednesday that he would convene the Commission in the week of July 18, or earlier if necessary.
"The test is still a challenge and it is likely that a significant number of cases have not been addressed," he added. "Europe is the epicenter of the current outbreak, recording more than 80% of the world's cases."
The viral disease monkeypox occurs primarily in central and western Africa. , The virus is a climate disease, but as part of its recent outbreak, the virus has spread to many parts of the world and is usually not. saw.
Cases have also been reported in African countries that were previously unaffected by the virus, with record numbers recorded where the virus is endemic, Tedros said Wednesday. Stated. He said the WHO team is tracking the data closely.
WHO is working with the state and vaccine manufacturers to coordinate the sharing of vaccines for the missing monkeypox. The organization is also working with the group to break the stigma about the virus and disseminate information to protect people.
Early data on outbreaks are for gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men. Consists of a large number of reported cases, suggesting that they lead to concerns about illness and stigmatization of the LGBTQ community.
However, anyone in close contact with a person infected with the virus can be at risk.
It can also spread through respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact such as kissing, hugging, or having sex.
The rash goes through various stages and develops into acne before it heals.
Increased monkeypox testing in the United States
In the United States, efforts are underway to strengthen testing for viruses.
According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the commercial laboratory company Lab Corporation will begin testing monkeypox at the largest facility in the United States on Wednesday, doubling its virus testing capacity.
"The ability of commercial laboratories to test monkeypox is an important pillar of a comprehensive strategy to combat this disease," said CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky on Wednesday. Said. “This not only improves testing capacity, but also makes it easier for healthcare providers and patients to access testing by leveraging the existing healthcare provider-laboratory relationship.”
Someone If you think you may be infected with monkey pox, your healthcare provider should order a test. "The general public will not be able to go to Lab Corporation's lab and submit specimens," the CDC said in a statement.
The CDC's Laboratory Response Network has conducted most of the monkeypox-specific tests in the United States, but on June 22, the US Department of Health and Human Services expanded the monkeypox test to five commercial laboratories. I announced that. Science, Labcorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, Sonic Healthcare.
On Wednesday, the CDC shipped the test to the lab and confirmed that its employees were trained in how to manage the test. "CDC expects additional commercial laboratories to go online and monkeypox testing capacity to continue to increase throughout July."
