Global Health Emergency: NCOC to Meet as Mpox

Introduction

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) will hold a meeting tomorrow in response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent declaration. The WHO has labeled MPox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years. This decision comes after a significant outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has spread to neighboring countries.

What is MPox?

Mpox is a viral disease that spreads through close contact. It usually causes mild illness but can be fatal in rare cases. Symptoms include:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Pus-filled lesions on the body

WHO’s Declaration and Its Importance

The WHO’s declaration of MPox as a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) is the highest alert level. This designation helps to:

• Accelerate research and funding
• Enhance international public health measures and cooperation to contain the disease.

Current Situation of Mpox

The current outbreak began with an endemic strain called clade I in Congo. However, a new variant, clade Ib, seems to spread more easily through close contact, including sexual contact. This new variant has spread to neighboring countries such as:

• Burundi
• Kenya
• Rwanda
• Uganda

The WHO has emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to stop the outbreak and save lives.

Recent Developments in Africa

Just a day ago, Africa’s top public health body declared an MPox emergency for the continent due to the alarming spread of the infection. As indicated by the African Places for Infectious Prevention and Counteraction:

• Over 17,000 suspected cases of  MPox have been reported in Africa this year.
• There have been 517 deaths.
• This represents a 160% increase in cases compared to the same period last year.
• A total of 13 countries have revealed these cases.

History of Mpox and Global Response

In 2022, a different strain of MPox, clade IIb, spread globally, mainly through sexual contact among men who have sex with men. This led to the WHO declaring a public health emergency, which was lifted after 10 months. The disease was previously known as monkeypox, but the WHO renamed it to avoid stigma and racism.

NCOC Meeting Details

NCOC Deputy Coordinator Dr. Mumtaz Ali Khan announced that the meeting will be chaired by NCOC Director General Dr. Shabana Saleem. Provincial directors general will join the meeting virtually to:

• Develop strategies to address the MPox outbreak and some cases of the Zika virus
• Discuss the availability of testing kits
• Ensure proper arrangements at entry points into the country
• Assess the availability of isolation wards and hospital beds

Dr. Khan also mentioned that Border Security Services will attend the meeting to establish measures to prevent the virus from entering the country or ensure quick isolation of infected individuals if they arrive. Although the WHO has not yet issued an advisory, it is expected soon.

Pakistan’s Situation

Dr. Khan noted that Pakistan has previously received MPox cases from Arab countries, and travelers from the Middle East might again carry the virus. Given the global nature of the outbreak, MPox could potentially reach any country.

A control room has been set up at the NCOC to manage the possible spread of mMPox in Pakistan. Testing involves collecting fluid from patient lesions and conducting a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to confirm the virus.

Zika Virus Update

Dr. Khan also addressed concerns about the Zika virus, an emerging mosquito-borne virus first identified in Uganda. While adults generally do not suffer severe effects, the virus can halt brain development in babies if pregnant women are bitten by mosquitoes.

Sources:

1. World Health Organization (WHO)
2. Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
3. Dawn.com