The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) continues to monitor the progress of the monkeypox outbreak in the region. According to official data, 5,284 cases have already been confirmed in 18 countries on the American continent, although no deaths from this virus have been reported.
“There are four countries where more cases have been reported: in the United States about 3,500, in Canada and Brazil about 700 each, and in Peru about 200,” said Dr. Andrea Vicari, PAHO’s head of threat management during the investigation. press conference organized every week by the health agency to address the situation in the entire region.
Are we better prepared?
However, the medical expert admitted that “it cannot be concluded why one country has more cases than another” since there are several factors that influence this. In that sense, he also did not dare to say which nations could be better prepared to face an outbreak like this.
Over the weekend the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox an international health emergency. It is the highest alert that this agency dependent on the United Nations can activate with the intention that governments around the world implement special protocols to contain the virus and thus avoid a pandemic.
“The declaration of an emergency by the WHO finally aims to improve the coordination and cooperation of the entire region. This declaration includes several recommendations that should serve as an instrument for the preparations and to make all the possible corrective measures”, indicated Dr. Vicari.
Are vaccines effective?
Despite the fact that some preliminary studies assure that the smallpox vaccine, which was marketed in the sixties, is also effective for this version, from PAHO they remind that “the evidence is limited”, so that, for the moment, no such conclusions can be reached. Regarding the antivirals available on the market, Dr. Vicari also pointed out that, until now, they cannot be certified as effective in combating the effects of monkeypox.
However, from the health agency responsible for ensuring public health throughout the region they stress that “the availability on the world market” of vaccines and antivirals is “limited”, but a plan is already being worked on so that the countries may have facilities to access these health products in the near future.
At the same time, Mary Lou Valdez, deputy director of PAHO, acknowledged that “there is a lot of confusion around monkeypox,” so it is important that public administrations throughout the continent promote “clear communication” about this virus.
“We must work with the affected communities so that people know what to do in this situation,” Valdez said during his speech.
Working against stigma
One of those responsible for PAHO assured that the majority of cases of monkeypox are occurring in men who have sex with other men, which is why, she said, in recent weeks “they have been working with civil society and LGBTQ+ communities to alert risk groups about smallpox and how to protect themselves.”
However, he warned of the danger of homophobic stigma and discrimination due to the spread of the monkey virus among these communities, “as has already been seen with HIV.” “These policies should only serve as a reminder for countries to remain vigilant and work closely to quell this outbreak,” Valdez added.
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