No cases of Mpox reported in Oman: MOH
Published: 10:08 AM,Aug 17,2024 | EDITED : 02:08 PM,Aug 17,2024
Muscat: Oman’s Ministry of Health, through its Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Emergency Case Management Center, is closely monitoring the developments surrounding the mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox.
Despite the global rise in cases, the Ministry has confirmed that no cases of mpox have been detected in the Sultanate so far. This proactive stance follows the World Health Organization's (WHO) recent declaration of mpox as a public health emergency.
The Ministry has assured the public that Oman is well-prepared to diagnose the disease, with necessary laboratory tests readily available. The Ministry also emphasized its ongoing coordination with WHO and other relevant international and regional organizations to monitor infectious diseases.
Global Mpox Situation: Rising Concerns
On a global scale, the situation surrounding mpox has become increasingly alarming. The WHO declared the mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and other parts of Africa a global emergency. The virus has spread to more than a dozen countries, with confirmed cases among both children and adults. The emergence of a new, more easily transmissible strain has heightened concerns.
Earlier this week, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) classified the mpox outbreaks as a public health emergency, reporting over 500 deaths and appealing for international assistance to curb the virus's spread. Recently, cases of mpox were detected in Sweden and Pakistan, just days after WHO's global health emergency declaration.
The current outbreak has been particularly severe in the DR Congo, where the disease has claimed more than 500 lives since the beginning of the year. The new strain, identified as clade 1b, is more deadly and transmissible than previous variants, leading to widespread concern among scientists and health officials. Mpox can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin contact, sexual activity, or even through talking or breathing in close proximity to an infected individual. Indirect transmission via contaminated materials, such as bedding, is also possible.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has raised its risk alert level for mpox, warning that the likelihood of sustained transmission in Europe remains low but urging vigilance among travelers from affected areas.
In Africa, the situation has grown more dire, with mpox cases increasing by 160% in 2024 compared to 2023. The virus has now been recorded in all provinces of the DR Congo, where the health minister reported over 15,000 potential cases and nearly 550 deaths since the beginning of the year. The increased human-to-human transmission of the virus has also raised fears of potential mutations, which could further complicate efforts to control the outbreak.
As the global community grapples with the growing mpox threat, health authorities around the world are on high alert, working to prevent the virus from spreading further and mitigating its impact on affected populations.
Despite the global rise in cases, the Ministry has confirmed that no cases of mpox have been detected in the Sultanate so far. This proactive stance follows the World Health Organization's (WHO) recent declaration of mpox as a public health emergency.
The Ministry has assured the public that Oman is well-prepared to diagnose the disease, with necessary laboratory tests readily available. The Ministry also emphasized its ongoing coordination with WHO and other relevant international and regional organizations to monitor infectious diseases.
Global Mpox Situation: Rising Concerns
On a global scale, the situation surrounding mpox has become increasingly alarming. The WHO declared the mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and other parts of Africa a global emergency. The virus has spread to more than a dozen countries, with confirmed cases among both children and adults. The emergence of a new, more easily transmissible strain has heightened concerns.
Earlier this week, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) classified the mpox outbreaks as a public health emergency, reporting over 500 deaths and appealing for international assistance to curb the virus's spread. Recently, cases of mpox were detected in Sweden and Pakistan, just days after WHO's global health emergency declaration.
The current outbreak has been particularly severe in the DR Congo, where the disease has claimed more than 500 lives since the beginning of the year. The new strain, identified as clade 1b, is more deadly and transmissible than previous variants, leading to widespread concern among scientists and health officials. Mpox can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin contact, sexual activity, or even through talking or breathing in close proximity to an infected individual. Indirect transmission via contaminated materials, such as bedding, is also possible.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has raised its risk alert level for mpox, warning that the likelihood of sustained transmission in Europe remains low but urging vigilance among travelers from affected areas.
In Africa, the situation has grown more dire, with mpox cases increasing by 160% in 2024 compared to 2023. The virus has now been recorded in all provinces of the DR Congo, where the health minister reported over 15,000 potential cases and nearly 550 deaths since the beginning of the year. The increased human-to-human transmission of the virus has also raised fears of potential mutations, which could further complicate efforts to control the outbreak.
As the global community grapples with the growing mpox threat, health authorities around the world are on high alert, working to prevent the virus from spreading further and mitigating its impact on affected populations.