Update on Monkeypox Vaccine amid Global Health Concern

MONKEYPOX VACCINE – The Department of Health (DOH) revealed the target date when the Philippines may procure the vaccines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global health emergency amid several countries having growing cases of the disease. This disease is endemic in several nations for years now but countries where it is not endemic have recorded cases of the disease, too.

With regards to the possibility of monkeypox vaccine being available in the Philippines, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, DOH said that the country may procure monkeypox vaccine in 2023. Currently, there are three (3) manufacturers of the said vaccine and the health department is finding means to get even just a minimal amount of the vax. The healthcare workers are the top priority.

Here are some of the things to know about the monkeypox virus. Check out below!

MONKEYPOX VIRUS – These are the signs and symptoms of the monkeypox virus and other things to know about this virus.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet but several countries are now facing another kind of virus, a sporadic disease. It is called monkeypox, a cousin of smallpox.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two people have traveled from Nigeria to the United States and were diagnosed with this rare disease. Last Wednesday in Massachusetts, a patient with monkeypox was hospitalized.

This kind of virus can be found mainly in West and Central Africa, but cases were already recorded in Europe and the United Kingdom. These cases are associated with international travel or imported animals, that are infected with the virus.

Recently, other countries that have recorded a case include Spain with seven confirmed cases in Madrid, one in Italy, and 17 suspected cases in Montreal.

CDC said that seven to 14 days is the incubation period and typically, the symptoms one who is infected can display are fever, chills, exhaustion, headache, and muscle weakness. These are flu-like symptoms and it also comes with swelling in the lymph nodes.

There will also be rashes on the face and the body. Rashes may also appear inside the mouth, on the palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. There’s no specific treatment available yet. Monkeypox is spread through close contact.

The infection after being exposed may result in “broken skin, mucous membranes, respiratory droplets, infected body fluids or even contact with contaminated linen” as per Neil Mabbott, personal chair in immunopathology at the veterinary school of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

It can also be transmitted through droplets. African rodents are suspected to be playing a great role in spreading this virus but the main carrier remains unknown.

The Philippines has not yet recorded a single case of this virus and amid the threats, authorities are intensifying border screening.

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