Saudi Arabia, in its drive to enrich Arab culture, launches Arab Week at UNESCO in Paris    Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms hitting most Saudi regions until Saturday    Jeddah Mayoralty reclaims 18 government land sites on the North Obhur waterfront    Neymar exits Al Hilal match with muscle injury, leaving fans disappointed    Quality of Life Program CEO highlights Saudi urban transformations at UN-Habitat conference in Cairo    AlHisn Big Time Studios unveiled to transform film and TV production in Riyadh    Saudi Aramco's Q3 net income falls 15.5% to SR103 billion amid a jump in annual cash flows    Saudi Arabia approves cooperation agreement with US for the use of outer space for peaceful purposes    Almarai wins 'Best Corporate Sukuk' at Asset Triple A Islamic Finance Awards    Top climber falls to death after rare Himalayan feat    US voters flying home in time for election    Elon Musk can keep giving $1m to voters, judge rules    Drones and snipers on standby to protect Arizona vote-counters    India's Modi condemns violence after Canada temple incident    Mitrovic's hat-trick leads Al Hilal to 3-0 victory over Esteghlal    Al Ahli extends perfect start with 5-1 victory over Al Shorta    Quincy Jones, titan of US music, dies aged 91    Al Qadsiah secure 2-0 victory over Al Ettifaq in first Eastern Derby since 2021    Hidden sugars in Asia's baby food spark concerns    HONOR unveils pre-order of the stunning HONOR MagicBook Art 14 Featuring an ultra-slim design, HONOR Eye Comfort Display and AI Cross-OS WorkStation    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Monkeypox transmission may have gone undetected 'for some time'
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 02 - 06 - 2022

Thirty non-endemic countries have reported more than 550 confirmed cases of monkeypox, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.
"Investigations are ongoing, but the sudden appearance of monkeypox in many countries at the same time suggests there may have been undetected transmission for some time," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists at WHO's Geneva headquarters.
With most reported cases having been among sexual encounters between men, those communities are working to inform their members of risks and preventative action that can be taken.
"But all of us must work hard to fight stigma, which is not just wrong, it could also prevent infected individuals from seeking care, making it harder to stop transmission," warned the WHO chief, urging affected countries to widen their surveillance to the broader community.
Anyone risks infection if they have close physical contact with someone who has Monkeypox.
Tedros noted that as the situation is evolving, WHO expects more cases to be found.
"It's important to remember that generally, Monkeypox symptoms resolve on their own, but can be severe in some cases," he added.
WHO continues to receive updates on the status of ongoing Monkeypox outbreaks in African countries where the disease is endemic.
The top WHO official outlined his priorities to provide accurate information to those most at-risk; prevent further spread among those at high risk; protect frontline health workers; and advance "our understanding" of the disease.
Meanwhile, as reported COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to decline globally, Tedros cautioned that this may be the result of reduced testing throughout many countries.
But in several regions in the Americas, cases, and deaths are surging, while there are increasing fatalities in the Western Pacific region and Africa.
"Once again, the pandemic is not over. We continue to call on all countries to maintain testing and sequencing services, to give us a clearer picture of where the virus is spreading, and how it's changing," said the WHO chief.
"We call on all countries to vaccinate all health workers, older people and other at-risk groups".
With the war in Ukraine taking a heavy toll on the country's health system, WHO has increased its presence in the country and in States hosting displaced people – as the number of healthcare attacks continues to rise.
"As of yesterday, WHO has verified 269 attacks on health in Ukraine, killing 76 people and injuring 59," Tedros said.
"Healthcare must never be a target," he added, calling again on Russia to end the war.
Russia's invasion has disrupted global food supplies and exacerbated the risk of famine around the world, he said.
As the Horn of Africa suffers one of its worst droughts in recent history, the rising risk of famine and malnutrition is severely affecting an estimated 15 to 20 million people in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, as well as affecting populations in Djibouti, Eritrea, Uganda, South Sudan and Sudan.
The WHO chief said there were tens of thousands of families forced to leave home in search of food, water and pasture, which is leading to mass displacement and a lack of safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation – further heightening health risks.
"This is especially worrying in an already under-immunized population with little access to health services," pointed out the WHO chief.
At the same time, more than six million people remain under siege by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces in Tigray.
As the region is sealed, not enough food is being delivered and basic services remain unavailable.
"WHO is doing its best to help, but the only solution to this inhumane situation – as in Ukraine – is peace," he underscored.
Turning to the first in-person World Health Assembly since the COVID-19 pandemic began – which ended on Saturday – Tedros drew attention to the adopted "landmark resolution to increase assessed contributions" to a target of 50 percent of WHO's base budget by the end of the decade, up from today's 16 percent.
"This change will give WHO the flexibility and predictability to plan for long-term programming in countries, and to attract and retain the people we need to deliver those programmes," he said.
Other Assembly decisions strengthens WHO's preparedness and response to health emergencies. — UN News


Clic here to read the story from its source.