Avellon Williams
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago- The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently made it clear that Mpox, which was previously referred to as ‘Monkeypox’, should not be likened to COVID-19.
This statement comes in response to growing worries after the WHO classified Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, particularly due to outbreaks in Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and its spread to neighboring countries.
WHO’s Stand on Mpox
Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe, stated, “Mpox is not the new COVID. We know how to control Mpox, and the risk to the general population is low.” He emphasized the importance of targeted interventions, such as behavior change, non-discriminatory public health actions, and vaccination for at-risk groups, to manage and eliminate Mpox transmission.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also highlighted the need for global cooperation to prevent further spread, especially in Africa, where the impact has been most severe. “The potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” he remarked, urging international support to curb the outbreak.
Differences Between Mpox and COVID-19
The WHO has clarified that the modes of transmission and the scale of spread differ significantly between Mpox and COVID-19. Mpox requires close contact for transmission, whereas COVID-19 spreads rapidly through airborne particles.
Additionally, vaccines and treatments for Mpox are already available, unlike the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Chris Beyrer, director of Duke University’s Global Health Institute, noted, “We have what we need to stop Mpox. This is not the same situation we faced during COVID when there was no vaccine and no antivirals“.
Public Health Measures and Vaccination
The WHO has not recommended mass vaccinations for Mpox, unlike the COVID-19 response, but suggests targeted vaccinations for high-risk groups in outbreak settings. The organization is focusing on surveillance, contact tracing, and public health education to manage the outbreak effectively.
Background: COVID-19 and Mpox
COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It quickly escalated into a global pandemic, with the WHO declaring it a pandemic in March 2020. The virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets and has led to significant global health, social, and economic impacts. In contrast, Mpox is a viral infection that has been known since 1970, primarily affecting regions in Central and West Africa.
The disease saw a significant global outbreak in 2022, prompting the WHO to declare a public health emergency. Mpox is primarily transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact, and its symptoms include a rash and flu-like symptoms. Unlike COVID-19, Mpox spreads more slowly and is less likely to cause widespread outbreaks.
While the WHO has declared Mpox a global health emergency, it is crucial to understand that it does not pose the same threat level as COVID-19. With proper interventions and international cooperation, the spread of Mpox can be effectively managed, preventing it from becoming a pandemic. The focus remains on targeted vaccination and public health measures to protect at-risk populations and control the outbreaks.
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