What was previously referred to as MonkeyPox is increasingly capturing international attention because of a rising number of cases being reported across many countries. Government efforts, including those of the public health authorities, have been put in place to intensify the monitoring, screening, and containment of potential outbreaks. However, the message that should really be conveyed to the public is contrary to those above: it isn’t time for panic. We look into the reasons behind ramping up government surveillance and screening of Mpox while at the same time trying to allay undue alarm among the public.
About Mpox
Mpox is a viral zoonose, much less severe than smallpox but from the same family as smallpox. It was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys kept for research, hence the name “MonkeyPox.” However, rodents are considered the primary source of infection, and humans can get infected through direct contact with rodents or objects contaminated by secretions or excretions from the infected source.
Symptoms of Mpox are like smallpox but generally milder. They include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Characteristic rash that usually starts on the face prior to spreading to other parts of the body
The rash begins to form pustules that scab and crust over. The course of illness generally takes 2 to 4 weeks; symptoms begin within 5 to 21 days after exposure
How is Mpox Transmitted?
Transmission occurs through close contact with a person or animal infected with the virus or through physical contact with contaminated material. It spreads either through respiratory secretions and droplets, contact with body fluids, or contaminated materials such as bedding and clothing. Unlike COVID-19, it is not highly infectious, which goes a long way toward explaining why there has never been an all-out outbreak historically.
Why the Government Has Improved Surveillance
With the recent resurgence of Mpox cases in many places, especially in non-endemic regions, a number of governments have elevated their surveillance and screening efforts. Enhanced surveillance and screening measures are critical for the early detection, tracking, and containment of diseases. The government’s attention is focused on preventing small isolated cases from turning into bigger outbreaks.
Critical Reasons for Increased Surveillance and Screening
- Emergence of New Cases Outside Endemic Regions: Over the years, Mpox cases have been reported, even in countries where the virus is not endemic, thus raising suspicion of a change in either the behaviour or transmission pattern of the said virus.
- Global Travel: Since international travel has re-opened, the very likely possibility of re-importation of cases in areas where the disease had been eliminated is an ever-present scenario; entry points such as airports and border posts need to be screened.
- Public Health Preparedness: Enhanced surveillance of the disease is one of the public health preparedness measures that would ensure early identification of the potential increase in cases. If a case has been identified, isolation is done promptly, followed by purposeful contact tracing activities, and vaccination is administered.
- Mutations and Variants: At present, no significant mutations of Mpox affecting the transmissibility and virulence of the virus have emerged but are continuously monitored to determine potential changes capable of affecting public health.
Surveillance Strategies and Technology
Governments are developing cutting-edge technologies and data analytics to redesign Mpox surveillance. Some of the key measures in this respect comprise of:
- Wastewater surveillance: By the same means, the Covid–19 pandemic traced the symptomless cases of Mpox in communities to wastewater examination, enabling a pre-alert mechanism even before the symptomatic cases arrived.
- Digital Contact Tracing: Advanced digital utilities trace potential exposure and contacts so that they can be isolated or monitored, as the case was.
- Genomic Sequencing: Using genomic sequencing of the viral genome, researchers can track the spread of particular strains, including the mutant strains, that might lead to a suggestion for a shift in strategy for the public health response.
- Cross-Border Cooperation: Governments are working closely with international health organizations, such as WHO, to disseminate information, facilitate responses, and ensure a standardized approach to disease monitoring.
Government Promise: Why Not to Panic
Against this backdrop of increased vigil, government and health officials emphasize that there is no need for public concern. The measures being put in place are definitely more intense, but they are largely precautionary in nature and intended to maintain tight control over the situation.
Allaying Public Fears
- Low Contagiousness: Mpox is much less contagious than viruses like COVID-19. It takes fairly long periods of close contact to become infected, so the potential for widespread outbreaks is negligible.
- Existing Vaccines: Developed vaccines for smallpox are effective against Mpox and are already being used in populations at risk. Unlike the early COVID-19 experience, a workable, cheap vaccine is on the table here that could be administered as soon as possible.
- Preparedness of the Government: Proactive preparation ensures that the public health paradigms are ready for the case or cases without overwhelming the healthcare organizations. Rapid detection, isolation, and treatment measures are the essential and supplementary arms of the Government approach.
- Effective Communication: The Government pledges to open Communication and Effective information dissemination for Updates on Mpox development to remove fallacies and misconceptions and provide the public with guidance.
How can people stay informed and remain safe?
- The advisory of the governments is explicit: Stay informed but do not Panic. What follows are the steps that one can take in practical terms:
- Stay informed by reliable sources: Monitor information from official health organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WHO, and those in your workplace.
- Good hygiene: Continue to wash your hands often—particularly after touching animals or anyone suspected to have the disease and after touching something potentially contaminated.
- Alert for symptoms: If you have any signs or symptoms compatible with Mpox, you should immediately seek medical help so that an early diagnosis and prompt commencement of treatment can be made.
- Public Health: If advised, follow travel advisories when entering or leaving places known to have reported cases of Mpox and vaccination.
- Non-stigmatization: Groups or persons with Mpox should not be stigmatized; the mediums should work on sensitizing the virus and following public health advice.
Conclusion
These reinforced capabilities further government surveillance and screening for Mpox, which are undoubtedly supportive in the interests of public health, but they by no means reflect an emergency already at hand. The public can support containment efforts by preventing unnecessary panic and just being informed with a sense of perspective.
Let this, therefore, be a point of vigilance and preparedness to handle the risk to public health. In fact, even the concern in place right now should be evidence of proactive measures towards responsive governments—thus ensuring that even in situations of emerging threats to health, the public will remain protected and well-informed.
Key Points Recap:
- Mpox – A zoonotic virus akin to smallpox but generally less severe.
- It manifests as fever, headache, muscle pains, and a characteristic rash.
- It is transmitted through close person-to-person contact with infected people or animals or materials contaminated with the virus.
- It has an effective surveillance and screening system for monitoring and controlling the spread of a possible case.
- The general public need not panic because the risk of this virus is shallow for now.
- Managing this disease is effective through the current vaccines and preparedness of the current public health system.
- Public collaboration and adherence to health directives will keep communities safe.
The government addressing the preventable panic will ensure that the situation with Mpox is easily manageable without the community getting anxious.
