There have been cases of monkeypox in many countries in the last few months amid the Corona epidemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that since the beginning of this year, 2,103 cases of the disease have been confirmed in 42 countries. Of these, 98 percent of cases have been registered since the beginning of May. From January 1 to June 15 this year, there has been one death due to monkeypox in these 42 countries.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease. This disease is caused by infection with a virus belonging to the orthopoxvirus genus of the family Poxviridae.

The Orthopoxvirus genus includes the smallpox virus 

In 1958, this virus was seen in monkey settlements and it was found to cause a disease similar to the pox.

What are the steps taken by WHO?

• WHO has closed the gap between endemic countries to fight unitedly against monkeypox. "We are bridging the distinction between endemic and non-endemic countries to send the message that a united response is necessary against this," the organization said.
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• Most of the new cases reported in Europe
• Talking about the cases reported in recent days, 84 percent of patients have been reported in Europe, 12 percent in America, and 3 percent in African countries.
• Of the infected patients, 99 percent are men and most of them have had sex with other men. Special guidelines have also been issued for gay men in the UK.
• The WHO has asked countries to be cautious in view of the increasing cases of this disease.
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Important meeting on 23rd June for Monkeypox 

WHO is going to hold an important meeting on June 23 regarding the monkeypox. A decision will be taken in this meeting whether to declare monkeypox a public health emergency or not.

If WHO declares it an international health emergency, then it will be considered a big threat to the whole world like the corona epidemic and special efforts and plans will be prepared for its treatment.

• Earlier such announcements were made for Ebola and Polio.
• WHO is also considering renaming Monkeypox.
• The decision is being taken on the basis of a recommendation to rename it by a group of 30 scientists.

Scientists wrote in a letter to the WHO that the origin of the new global outbreak is still unknown and there is more evidence that the virus has been spreading outside the continent of Africa for a long time.