US tightened its grip and stepped up testing and surveillance for the new ampox strain after the instructions of WHO
Government officials said on Friday that while no cases of the more contagious type of virus have been confirmed in the United States, experts continue to prepare for its possibility.
The incidence of ampox virus is rapidly increasing around the world. In response to such situations, the United States has always taken strict measures. They stepped up testing and surveillance for the new type of ampox. They also made sure that the vaccine was readily available at local pharmacies and community health centers.
Officials are on edge
A senior government official said Friday that while no cases of the more contagious variant of the virus have been confirmed in the United States, experts continue to prepare for that possibility.
WHO declares emergency
Indeed, on August 14, the director-general of the World Health Organization declared the fast-spreading ampox virus (formerly known as monkeypox) a public health emergency, the second such announcement in two years.
The new strain, called clade IB, is causing a surge in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Order an Ampox test for a senior US government official said that any US physician can now order an Ampox test, which can be processed through the national testing chain. Positive test results that are not the older Ampox strain will be sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.
Health officials in Wayne County, Michigan, reported nearly three Ampox cases per day last month, but further testing found it to be the older strain known as clade II. Currently, the US continues to record about three Ampox cases per day due to the clade II virus, making it a public health emergency in 2022.
What is Ampox?
According to the WHO website, monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus, a disease that has symptoms similar to smallpox but is less severe.
The monkeypox epidemic began in this country. Cases of the disease have now been reported in countries around the world. At the same time, monkeypox also began in the African country of Congo. Cases of monkeypox continue to increase in Congo, but there is little vaccine to prevent monkeypox on the African island.
It is important to recognize the symptoms. You should know the symptoms of monkeypox so that you can contact a doctor at the right time.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
- High fever
- Muscle and back pain
- Severe headache and swelling
- A rash appears on the body once the fever subsides
The duration of monkeypox is: 5 to 21 days. According to the WHO, the fever usually lasts for 1 to 3 days. After that, a rash starts to appear on the body, which can last for 2 to 4 weeks.
How does ampox spread?
- Direct contact with wounds: The virus can be spread by touching an infected person's wound or by coming into contact with oozing wound fluids.
- Through contact with infected objects: The virus can also be spread by contact with clothing, bedding, dishes, and other objects that have been touched by an infected person.
- From mother to child: The virus can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy or at birth.
- Physical relations: The virus can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse.
