The World Health Organization declared the spread of mpox a global health emergency last week. Tumeggy/science Photo Library | Science Photo Library | Getty Images Countries in Asia are closely monitoring for mpox cases after the World Health Organization recently declared an escalating outbreak in Africa as a global public health emergency . Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is classified into two distinct groups: clade 1 and clade 2.
It is transmissible through direct contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated items. Clade 2 was responsible for the 2022 outbreak, which has led to around 100,000 cases worldwide , NBC News reported, but now, a version of clade 1 has spread internationally, after starting in the Democratic Republic of Congo in January 2023. In making the declaration, WHO Director-General Dr.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said "it's clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives." On Thursday, Sweden reported the first known case of clade 1 outside Africa. Then on Monday, the Philippines reported its first case of mpox since December of last year, although it has not yet identified the strain.
Here's how the four largest economies in Asia have responded so far: China China's customs authorities announced they will strengthen surveillance at ports of entry. People arriving from nations and areas with confirmed mpox cases and have been exposed to mpox with symptoms such as fever, headache, backpain or r.