The Guardian’s Post

On 14 August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) for the second time in two years This follows an upsurge of cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa. Globally, there is also an increase in mpox cases, and Singapore is not spared. Singapore had 18 reported cases in 2022 and 32 cases in 2023. Although infections are usually mild, patients can die from mpox - the fatality rate is reported to be around 3-6%. As such we should remain vigilant and take precautions. Mpox can spread in different ways, including respiratory secretions and through close and sexual contact with a person with mpox. As such, reducing or avoiding behaviors that increase risk of mpox exposure and vaccination are two most important ways to prevent the spread of mpox. #mpox #publichealth #WHO

The FluWatch report for January 14 to January 20, 2024, indicates that at the national level, most indicators of influenza activity either remained steady or slightly decreased compared to the previous week. All surveillance indicators are within or below the expected levels for this time of year. via Public Health Agency of Canada - Updates https://ift.tt/ObtNqg9 January 27, 2024 at 07:59AM #healthpolicy, #healthsystems, #policy

#MPOX | #Health: The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in #DemocraticRepublicofCongo that has spread to neighbouring countries in #Africa. An emergency committee met earlier on Wednesday to advise WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on whether the disease outbreak constitutes a "public health emergency of international concern," or PHEIC. PHEIC status is WHO's highest level of alert and aims to accelerate research, funding and international public health measures and cooperation to contain a disease. https://lnkd.in/dJNMTT9j Earlier this week, Africa's top public health body declared an mpox emergency for the continent after warning that the viral infection was spreading at an alarming rate, with more than 17,000 suspected cases and more than 500 deaths this year, mainly among children in DR Congo. 🚨Travel and work abroad are associated with security risks that can come from many different sources and their impact on people and business can be devastating. 🛡️Septu Group is a specialist security, risk management and crisis response company that supports the evolving security needs of individuals and businesses around the world. 𝐓𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭: ➡️ info@septugroup.com #securityawareness #travelawareness #riskmanagement #securitymanagement #crisismanagement #travelsafety #dutyofcare #travelriskmanagement #travelrisk #riskassessment #crisisresponse #corporatesecurity #threatmanagement #septugroup #internationaltravel #healthrisk #healthinsurance #travelinsurance

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has officially declared the recent surge of #mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African nations as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005). This year, the number of reported mpox cases has already exceeded last year's total, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths recorded to date. In the last month alone, more than 100 laboratory-confirmed cases of clade 1b have been identified in four countries neighboring the DRC, marking the first occurrence of mpox in these regions. The global health community is now on high alert as efforts are being intensified to contain the spread of this serious disease. #GlobalHealth #WHO

Treatment Action Group (TAG) supports the World Health Organization in declaring the renewed outbreak of mpox a public health emergency of international concern. The present situation partially reflects lingering inequalities from responses to the 2022 mpox outbreak, which saw vaccines and other resources concentrate in the Global North with relatively little attention devoted to addressing the drivers of mpox in the DRC and other endemic areas. A fully funded, coordinated global response is now needed. Our statement: https://lnkd.in/eMTdfETX

#ICYMI: Quality improvement visits through the Outreach, Training and Supportive Supervision (OTSS) approach aim to improve malaria quality of care by: 🟢 Scaling up health worker performance 🟢 Accelerating health facility readiness 🔗 Read Tropical Health's independent evaluation of OTSS for more on this: https://lnkd.in/ehhp-fne

There is an urgent need to integrate malaria efforts with other health services as a step towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). By broadening our approaches to synergize diagnosis, treatment, and prevention interventions with other health services at the primary care level, we can provide more comprehensive care. This ensures greater access to life-saving commodities, averting #malaria cases and reducing the risk of deaths, thereby strengthening our health systems. #WHA77, #EndMalaria, #YaoundéDeclaration, #zeromalariadeaths, #ZeroMalariaStartsWithMe

Exciting developments in the #Health & Population Sector as the PSDP allocation for 2024-25 sees a substantial 54% increase from Rs. 24 Billion to Rs. 37 Billion. key health initiatives include the Pakistan Deworming Initiative, efforts to end TB and control malaria, improving birth and death registration, and integrating health facilities with union councils through the existing health information system. #Budget2024 #SustainableGrowth #PSDP2024_25 #EconomicGrowth

We have a big Mpox problem in Sub Saharan Africa; not much (yet?) in USA. But some key details worth noting: 1. Most (13K of 15K) cases in Democratic Republic of Congo, but clearly not contained to DRC. 2. 3.3% fatality rate. 3. Children (<15 years of age)are 68% of cases and 85% of deaths. 4. This is infectious and we have a better handle on patterns of spread now, compared with 2022 when last major outbreak occurred. 5. It is good to see WHO taking this seriously; but it requires coordination of efforts to include vaccine manufacturers, health ministers, and community leaders to detect, treat, and prevent.

There is an urgent need to integrate malaria efforts with other health services as a step towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). By broadening our approaches to synergise diagnosis, treatment, and prevention interventions with other health services at the primary care level, we can provide more comprehensive care. This ensures greater access to life-saving commodities, averting #malaria cases and reducing the risk of deaths, thereby strengthening our health systems.