Monkeypox creates panic, govt declares emergency...
Cases of monkeypox (mpox) are increasing rapidly in Sierra Leone. After two new cases were reported within four days, the government on Monday declared a state of emergency. The decision was taken in view of the rapid spread of the new strain of the virus and the serious health effects.
According to the Ministry of health, both the infected persons had not recently had contact with any infected animal or sick person. The first case was recorded between december 26 and january 6 near Lungi airport in the northern Port Loko district. Both patients are undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital Freetown.
2014 Ebola outbreak
Sierra Leone has faced a major health crisis before, with nearly 4,000 people dying during the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak. The country lost 7 percent of its healthcare workers due to this outbreak.
Effect of the virus in Africa
The World health Organization (WHO) declared ampox a global health emergency in august 2024. ampox is a serious disease. It was first seen in monkeys in 1958. ampox disease is mostly seen in Central and West Africa. In 2022, this virus was found to spread through sexual contact. After which it spread to more than 70 countries. In 2024, about 43,000 suspected cases were reported in Africa. More than 1,000 people died.
Let us tell you that this strain is different from the ampox that increased in 2022, it spreads more rapidly than other strains. It causes a more severe form of the disease. It is different from the strain spread in 2022, which mainly affected men. The virus was brought under control through vaccination of vulnerable groups in 2022-2023.
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