Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 500 mark on Sunday&nbsp;(Nov. 3)&nbsp;as the air quality continues to deteriorate. As of 7 am, the air quality in the national capital dipped&nbsp;to the ‘hazardous’ category, which is harmful to the health of residents of Delhi and nearby areas.

A thick layer of smog blankets the national capital as the AQI levels shot up to 507, as per the IQAir website data. PM2.5 levels in Delhi-NCR were recorded over 65 times more than the WHO-prescribed limit, which is&nbsp;15 µg/m3 for&nbsp;24-hour average exposures.&nbsp;PM2.5 are smaller particles or droplets that are a major component of air pollution, which can result in health issues.

<h2>Second-most polluted city in the world</h2>

Delhi now ranks second in the most polluted major city ranking, according to IQAir data. The AQI levels in the city soared from 327 to a dangerously high 507 within 12 hours.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/imd-predicts-a-warm-november-following-record-high-temperatures-in-october-772655">Indian MET department predicts a warm November following record-high temperatures in October</a>

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, weather-monitoring stations at Alipur, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Aaya Nagar, Bawana, Burari, Mathura Road, IGI Airport, Dwarka, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Patparganj, Rohini, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar, Wazirpur, Mandir Marg, Nehru Nagar, Najafgarh and others recorded AQI in ‘very poor’ category.

According to AQI standards, air quality between 200-300 is considered ‘poor’, between 301-400 is ‘very poor’, and above 400 is ‘severe’. Air quality above 300 is considered hazardous for health.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-man-arrested-for-posing-as-aide-of-lawrence-bishnoi-to-threaten-mp-pappu-yadav-772825">Delhi man arrested for posing as aide of Lawrence Bishnoi to threaten MP Pappu Yadav</a>

<h2>Delhi air pollution&nbsp;</h2>

On November 1, the city recorded air quality in the ‘very poor’ category, with AQI recorded in most areas over 350, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), raising health concerns for the people living in and around the national capital.

Despite measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-II) already being implemented in the city, Delhi’s air quality continues to deteriorate. GRAP-II was implemented in Delhi-NCR by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on October 21 after the air quality worsened to ‘very poor’ in the national capital.

(With inputs from agencies)

Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 500 mark on Sunday (Nov. 3) as the air quality continues to deteriorate. As of 7 am, the air quality in the national capital dipped to the ‘hazardous’ category, which is harmful to the health of residents of Delhi and nearby areas.

Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 500 mark on Sunday (Nov. 3) as the air quality continues to deteriorate. As of 7 am, the air quality in the national capital dipped to the ‘hazardous’ category, which is harmful to the health of residents of Delhi and nearby areas. A thick layer of smog blankets the national capital as the AQI levels shot up to 507, as per the IQAir website data. PM2.5 levels in Delhi-NCR were recorded over 65 times more than the WHO-prescribed limit, which is 15 µg/m3 for 24-hour average exposures. PM2.5 are smaller particles or droplets that are a major component of air pollution, which can result in health issues. Second-most polluted city in the world Delhi now ranks second in the most polluted major city ranking, according to IQAir data. The AQI levels in the city soared from 327 to a dangerously high 507 within 12 hours. Also read | Indian MET department predicts a warm November following record-high temperatures in October According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, weather-monitoring stations at Alipur, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Aaya Nagar, Bawana, Burari, Mathura Road, IGI Airport, Dwarka, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Patparganj, Rohini, Shadipur, Sonia Vihar, Wazirpur, Mandir Marg, Nehru Nagar, Najafgarh and others recorded AQI in ‘very poor’ category. According to AQI standards, air quality between 200-300 is considered ‘poor’, between 301-400 is ‘very poor’, and above 400 is ‘severe’. Air quality above 300 is considered hazardous for health. Also read | Delhi man arrested for posing as aide of Lawrence Bishnoi to threaten MP Pappu Yadav Delhi air pollution On November 1, the city recorded air quality in the ‘very poor’ category, with AQI recorded in most areas over 350, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), raising health concerns for the people living in and around the national capital. Despite measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-II) already being implemented in the city, Delhi’s air quality continues to deteriorate. GRAP-II was implemented in Delhi-NCR by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on October 21 after the air quality worsened to ‘very poor’ in the national capital. (With inputs from agencies)

Delhi AQI crosses 500 mark, PM2.5 level 65 times over WHO prescribed limit

China is known to entrap weaker economies through its debt trap, but the bigger threat, not so much talked about, is its strategy to entrap stronger economies like US, G7 Countries as well as India into its dependency trap, which indirectly mutes counter actions against Chinese aggressive design, irrespective of its magnitude, dimension and implications.

&nbsp;

<h2>How Grave is Chinese Aggression?</h2>

China has launched multi-domain aggression on most countries of an unprecedented magnitude, but it has not been acknowledged globally to avoid responding aggressively to it. The western world has been keenly counting the casualties in Russia Ukraine War and collectively contesting against Russia, whereas the casualties’ figures caused by China through coronavirus by direct invasion on to global health system remains unpunished. China lied, and people died is a common slogan but the clamour to probe into its origin seems to be waning, once the US got dragged into the controversy of gain of function research. After two years of the pandemic, it appears that the world has to lump the bitter pill to assume that coronavirus originated from nowhere!

While global deaths of over 6.7 million people may not be attributed to China alone, but the delay in the declaration of the pandemic by tamed WHO and not controlling international flights two years back to avoid its economic setback by China is certainly a direct assault on global health. The death due to coronavirus certainly exceed deaths in all wars of many decades put together.

China has once again unleashed the infection by suddenly opening up after the draconian 'zero-Covid' policy due to unprecedented domestic protests and has threatened countries like Japan and South Korea trying to test people arriving from China by visa stoppages, thereby forcing them to accept infected Chinese, but there is no unified global response. Many countries like Thailand have succumbed to its pressure by doing away with tests putting their people at risk. It emboldens China that the world is ready to adjust to its needs and lump its aggression. Its blatant refusal to share data which impacts global health hasn’t seen any sanctions by the world community and organizations meant to take action. No one has gone beyond expressing concerns and no resolution was sought to force China to share information to protect the lives of others.

As a token Chinese reluctantly released the first official deaths toll of almost 60,000 Covid-related deaths in a month, after suddenly lifting controls on the 'zero-Covid policy' with&nbsp;over 90 per cent of casualties of over 65 years as per its National Health Commission. This appears to be a gross under-report by referring Covid as fever and not reporting fever deaths as Covid-related deaths. Is CCP cleansing older people using COVID, who were left least vaccinated due to its awkward policy, to get the correct demographics for mass manufacturing?

In other domains too including Chinese incremental encroachment, the global response has been inadequate, be it grabbing inhabited features in the South China Sea and converting them into military bases and junking all rulings of PCA on the subject. Its aggression on Himalayan borders is being responded to by India in a standalone mode. Its firepower demonstration on&nbsp;Taiwan has been responded to by nothing beyond posturing. Its fishing trawlers illegally fishing all over the globe have seen limited resistance from individual affected countries. It dares to operate secret police stations in all so-called powerful countries as influence operations as part of its Three warfare Strategy hasn’t seen a worthwhile pushback. Its BRI projects have pushed many weak economies into an unending debt trap.

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<h2>Why global response is muted against China?</h2>

By design as well as default China became the global factory due to US efforts to push China up to disintegrate USSR. The investments as well as the dependence of the West on China grew to an extent that during the coronavirus outbreak, New York had a sanitation problem when the supply chain of toilet rolls from China got disrupted. The world realized its helplessness due to over-dependence on China during Covid-19 pandemic but the magnitude of dependency was such that despite strong desire/efforts to decouple, it is finding difficulty in doing so till date.

Countries suffering from Chinese aggression like Japan may be criticizing it on daily basis but their trade with China continues to grow. Chinese total goods trade touched a record high in 2022, reaching 42.07 trillion yuan ($6.3 trillion), a rise of 7.7% from 2021. Measured in US dollars, exports jumped 7% in 2022, while imports increased 1.1%. That translates into a trade surplus of $877.6 billion, surpassing 2021’s record of $676 billion.

Chinese exports to Japan in 2022 saw an increase of 3.87 per cent over 2021. Similar is the story of most major economies including US, which suffered the maximum deaths due to coronavirus. The allegation that coronavirus was a biological weapon unleashed to dislodge US from its top position in global dominance is yet not ruled out. The nature of warfare has changed and so have the instruments of war. Its certain that the commercial interest of countries have overshadowed/compromised the security interest and health of their people in the context of China. China has thus muted global response to its unchecked aggression making full use of global commercial dependency on it. The trade figures indicated above prove that. That's why China is again infecting world with new variants of Covid-19 &amp; no one has stopped its flights.

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<h2>The case of India</h2>

While troops endure freezing winters at the LAC, MEA India says its relations with China can't be normal till the border issue is resolved. However, the trade deficit has grown to $101 billion in 2022, out of bilateral trade of $126 billion, marking a sharp rise of 46 per cent tells a different story. More than 160 companies in India have Chinese CEOs. The API reliance is indirectly humbling Indian border efforts. China continues to cherish such 'not normal relations', which in financial terms are better than normal. Indian consumers too need to set it right besides expecting concrete measures by the Government of India.

&nbsp;

<h2>What needs to be done?</h2>

It is necessary to pursue some initial steps taken by the Quad countries to synergize medical, scientific, financial, manufacturing, important emerging technology, and developmental capabilities in order to create an alternative supply chain, trade, technological, and health ecosystem that is independent of China. To send the proper signals that the intentions of a non-military grouping can alter overnight if there is interoperability between militaries of like-minded countries, Quad members must continue freedom of navigation and military drills in the Indo-Pacific.

To prevent vulnerable economies from falling into the debt trap set up by China through the BRI, an alternative infrastructure architecture in the form of the B3W, Blue Dot Network, and Friendship Highways is crucial. It is necessary to plan a collective reaction to threats from cyberspace, space terrorism, biological agents, and Chinese nuclear expansion.

India needs to be self-reliant at unprecedented speed. India must increasingly create a negative import list of all products imported from China that have been or can be manufactured in India in response to economic and digital invasion and gradually forbid their imports, as is being done to increase self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

In addition to the Quad, strategic alliances with like-minded democracies like France and the UK as well as collective naval posturing to create a multi-front situation for China in the Indo-Pacific are crucial for containing Chinese expansionism, the challenge to international law, and the threat to the global commons posed by unilaterally enforcing Coast Guard Law and Maritime Traffic Safety Laws that are China-centric. To counter Chinese military activities near India, India is appropriately forming a variety of strategic alliances with the USA and other China-wary nations.

China is known to entrap weaker economies through its debt trap, but the bigger threat, not so much talked about, is its strategy to entrap stronger economies like US, G7 Countries as well as India into its dependency trap, which indirectly mutes counter actions against Chinese aggressive design, irrespective of its magnitude, dimension and implications.

China is known to entrap weaker economies through its debt trap, but the bigger threat, not so much talked about, is its strategy to entrap stronger economies like US, G7 Countries as well as India into its dependency trap, which indirectly mutes counter actions against Chinese aggressive design, irrespective of its magnitude, dimension and implications. How Grave is Chinese Aggression? China has launched multi-domain aggression on most countries of an unprecedented magnitude, but it has not been acknowledged globally to avoid responding aggressively to it. The western world has been keenly counting the casualties in Russia Ukraine War and collectively contesting against Russia, whereas the casualties’ figures caused by China through coronavirus by direct invasion on to global health system remains unpunished. China lied, and people died is a common slogan but the clamour to probe into its origin seems to be waning, once the US got dragged into the controversy of gain of function research. After two years of the pandemic, it appears that the world has to lump the bitter pill to assume that coronavirus originated from nowhere! While global deaths of over 6.7 million people may not be attributed to China alone, but the delay in the declaration of the pandemic by tamed WHO and not controlling international flights two years back to avoid its economic setback by China is certainly a direct assault on global health. The death due to coronavirus certainly exceed deaths in all wars of many decades put together. China has once again unleashed the infection by suddenly opening up after the draconian 'zero-Covid' policy due to unprecedented domestic protests and has threatened countries like Japan and South Korea trying to test people arriving from China by visa stoppages, thereby forcing them to accept infected Chinese, but there is no unified global response. Many countries like Thailand have succumbed to its pressure by doing away with tests putting their people at risk. It emboldens China that the world is ready to adjust to its needs and lump its aggression. Its blatant refusal to share data which impacts global health hasn’t seen any sanctions by the world community and organizations meant to take action. No one has gone beyond expressing concerns and no resolution was sought to force China to share information to protect the lives of others. As a token Chinese reluctantly released the first official deaths toll of almost 60,000 Covid-related deaths in a month, after suddenly lifting controls on the 'zero-Covid policy' with over 90 per cent of casualties of over 65 years as per its National Health Commission. This appears to be a gross under-report by referring Covid as fever and not reporting fever deaths as Covid-related deaths. Is CCP cleansing older people using COVID, who were left least vaccinated due to its awkward policy, to get the correct demographics for mass manufacturing? In other domains too including Chinese incremental encroachment, the global response has been inadequate, be it grabbing inhabited features in the South China Sea and converting them into military bases and junking all rulings of PCA on the subject. Its aggression on Himalayan borders is being responded to by India in a standalone mode. Its firepower demonstration on Taiwan has been responded to by nothing beyond posturing. Its fishing trawlers illegally fishing all over the globe have seen limited resistance from individual affected countries. It dares to operate secret police stations in all so-called powerful countries as influence operations as part of its Three warfare Strategy hasn’t seen a worthwhile pushback. Its BRI projects have pushed many weak economies into an unending debt trap. Why global response is muted against China? By design as well as default China became the global factory due to US efforts to push China up to disintegrate USSR. The investments as well as the dependence of the West on China grew to an extent that during the coronavirus outbreak, New York had a sanitation problem when the supply chain of toilet rolls from China got disrupted. The world realized its helplessness due to over-dependence on China during Covid-19 pandemic but the magnitude of dependency was such that despite strong desire/efforts to decouple, it is finding difficulty in doing so till date. Countries suffering from Chinese aggression like Japan may be criticizing it on daily basis but their trade with China continues to grow. Chinese total goods trade touched a record high in 2022, reaching 42.07 trillion yuan ($6.3 trillion), a rise of 7.7% from 2021. Measured in US dollars, exports jumped 7% in 2022, while imports increased 1.1%. That translates into a trade surplus of $877.6 billion, surpassing 2021’s record of $676 billion. Chinese exports to Japan in 2022 saw an increase of 3.87 per cent over 2021. Similar is the story of most major economies including US, which suffered the maximum deaths due to coronavirus. The allegation that coronavirus was a biological weapon unleashed to dislodge US from its top position in global dominance is yet not ruled out. The nature of warfare has changed and so have the instruments of war. Its certain that the commercial interest of countries have overshadowed/compromised the security interest and health of their people in the context of China. China has thus muted global response to its unchecked aggression making full use of global commercial dependency on it. The trade figures indicated above prove that. That's why China is again infecting world with new variants of Covid-19 & no one has stopped its flights. The case of India While troops endure freezing winters at the LAC, MEA India says its relations with China can't be normal till the border issue is resolved. However, the trade deficit has grown to $101 billion in 2022, out of bilateral trade of $126 billion, marking a sharp rise of 46 per cent tells a different story. More than 160 companies in India have Chinese CEOs. The API reliance is indirectly humbling Indian border efforts. China continues to cherish such 'not normal relations', which in financial terms are better than normal. Indian consumers too need to set it right besides expecting concrete measures by the Government of India. What needs to be done? It is necessary to pursue some initial steps taken by the Quad countries to synergize medical, scientific, financial, manufacturing, important emerging technology, and developmental capabilities in order to create an alternative supply chain, trade, technological, and health ecosystem that is independent of China. To send the proper signals that the intentions of a non-military grouping can alter overnight if there is interoperability between militaries of like-minded countries, Quad members must continue freedom of navigation and military drills in the Indo-Pacific. To prevent vulnerable economies from falling into the debt trap set up by China through the BRI, an alternative infrastructure architecture in the form of the B3W, Blue Dot Network, and Friendship Highways is crucial. It is necessary to plan a collective reaction to threats from cyberspace, space terrorism, biological agents, and Chinese nuclear expansion. India needs to be self-reliant at unprecedented speed. India must increasingly create a negative import list of all products imported from China that have been or can be manufactured in India in response to economic and digital invasion and gradually forbid their imports, as is being done to increase self-reliance in defence manufacturing. In addition to the Quad, strategic alliances with like-minded democracies like France and the UK as well as collective naval posturing to create a multi-front situation for China in the Indo-Pacific are crucial for containing Chinese expansionism, the challenge to international law, and the threat to the global commons posed by unilaterally enforcing Coast Guard Law and Maritime Traffic Safety Laws that are China-centric. To counter Chinese military activities near India, India is appropriately forming a variety of strategic alliances with the USA and other China-wary nations.

Dependency trap: Chinese strategy to mute global response to its multidomain aggression

Egypt was certified as&nbsp;malaria-free on Sunday, with the World Health Organization calling the achievement "truly historic" and the culmination of nearly a century of work to stamp out the disease.

"Malaria&nbsp;is as old as Egyptian civilisation itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.

"This certification of Egypt as&nbsp;malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge."

Globally, 44 countries and one territory have now been certified as&nbsp;malaria-free.

Certification is granted by the WHO when a country has proven that the chain of indigenous&nbsp;malaria&nbsp;transmission by&nbsp;Anopheles&nbsp;mosquitoes has been interrupted nationwide for at least the previous three consecutive years.

A country must also demonstrate the ability to prevent the re-establishment of transmission.

Malaria&nbsp;kills more than 600,000 people every year, 95 per cent of them in Africa, according to the WHO.

There were 249 million recorded&nbsp;malaria&nbsp;cases worldwide in 2022.

Spread by mosquitoes,&nbsp;malaria&nbsp;is mostly found in tropical countries. The infection is caused by a parasite.

"Receiving the&nbsp;malaria&nbsp;elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase," said Egypt's Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar.

"We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to sustain our achievement through maintaining the highest standards for surveillance, diagnosis and treatment."

The WHO said early efforts to reduce human-mosquito contact in Egypt began in the 1920s when it banned cultivation of rice and agricultural crops near homes.

By 1942, cases in Egypt had spiked to more than three million as a result of population displacement during World War II.

The Aswan Dam, built in the 1960s, created new&nbsp;malaria&nbsp;risks as standing water produced breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

But by 2001, Egypt had&nbsp;malaria&nbsp;"firmly under control", the WHO said.

Nigeria accounts for more than a quarter of all&nbsp;malaria&nbsp;deaths annually, ahead of the DR Congo, Uganda, and Mozambique.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

Egypt was certified as malaria-free on Sunday, with the World Health Organization calling the achievement "truly historic" and the culmination of nearly a century of work to stamp out the disease.

Egypt was certified as malaria-free on Sunday, with the World Health Organization calling the achievement "truly historic" and the culmination of nearly a century of work to stamp out the disease. "Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilisation itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. "This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge." Globally, 44 countries and one territory have now been certified as malaria-free. Certification is granted by the WHO when a country has proven that the chain of indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted nationwide for at least the previous three consecutive years. A country must also demonstrate the ability to prevent the re-establishment of transmission. Malaria kills more than 600,000 people every year, 95 per cent of them in Africa, according to the WHO. There were 249 million recorded malaria cases worldwide in 2022. Spread by mosquitoes, malaria is mostly found in tropical countries. The infection is caused by a parasite. "Receiving the malaria elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase," said Egypt's Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar. "We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to sustain our achievement through maintaining the highest standards for surveillance, diagnosis and treatment." The WHO said early efforts to reduce human-mosquito contact in Egypt began in the 1920s when it banned cultivation of rice and agricultural crops near homes. By 1942, cases in Egypt had spiked to more than three million as a result of population displacement during World War II. The Aswan Dam, built in the 1960s, created new malaria risks as standing water produced breeding grounds for mosquitoes. But by 2001, Egypt had malaria "firmly under control", the WHO said. Nigeria accounts for more than a quarter of all malaria deaths annually, ahead of the DR Congo, Uganda, and Mozambique. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Egypt certified as malaria-free, WHO says 'truly historic'

With the increasing prevalence of earphones in daily life, concerns are growing about their impact on health. Prolonged use of earphones, especially at high volumes, can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus, as sound waves can damage sensitive hair cells in the inner ear.

Danger Lurking in Your Daily Earphone Use

The World Health Organisation and partners on Friday set up a scheme to help bring Mpox vaccines, tests, and treatments to the most vulnerable people in the world’s poorest countries, similar to efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, after earlier approving the first shot for the fast-spreading disease.

Both steps should make it easier for badly-hit African countries to access the vaccine, as a new type of the Mpox virus spreads from the Democratic Republic of Congo to its neighbours. The WHO has declared the outbreak a global public health emergency.

“Alongside other public health interventions, vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics are powerful tools for bringing the Mpox outbreaks in Africa under control,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

He said COVID-19 had shown the need for international collaboration to make access fairer. During the pandemic, many low-income countries were left behind in the global scramble for medical resources, particularly vaccines.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-confirms-first-mpox-case-in-traveller-who-returned-from-africa-757167">Also read:&nbsp;India confirms first Mpox case in traveller who returned from 'country experiencing virus transmission'</a>

European countries, the United States, and Japan have already pledged to donate 3.6 million doses of the two main vaccines used against Mpox, the WHO said on Friday. Vaccinations are due to start on October 2 with the first tranches of donations.

The WHO urged more countries to donate shots that were originally developed and stockpiled by rich nations for smallpox and said it would work with affected countries to get them to the people at the highest risk.

Earlier on Friday, the WHO said it had approved Bavarian Nordic's vaccine, known as Jynneos in the United States. It is also considering LC16, made by the Japanese manufacturer KM Biologics.

Watch |&nbsp;India confirms first travel-related mpox case

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The approval, known as prequalification, means U.N. agencies can now buy the vaccines as well as help coordinate donations. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, co-funds vaccine purchases for low-income countries in this way and has up to $500 million to spend on Mpox.

<h2>Delays</h2>

The WHO has faced criticism for moving too slowly on Mpox vaccines.

Bavarian Nordic's vaccine has been used worldwide since 2022 after US and European regulators backed it for use against a different strain of Mpox that spread globally in 2022.

The WHO only formally began the process in August this year.

Other factors, including the roughly $100 price tag for the vaccine, competing disease outbreaks, and sluggish processes in badly hit countries like Congo have also played a role.

"The evidence we have now is... it is important we take advantage of it (the vaccine) to protect our population," Dimie Ogoina, chair of the WHO's Mpox emergency committee, had said before the approval.&nbsp;

He however stressed that vaccines were not a "magic bullet" and other public health measures were also important.&nbsp;

<h2>'Off-label' use in children</h2>

Bavarian Nordic said the vaccine was cleared for immunization against smallpox, Mpox, and related orthopoxvirus in those who are 18 and older, but it could be used "off-label" for children and pregnant and immunocompromised people in outbreak conditions, where the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.&nbsp;

LC16 can already be given to children, according to the Japanese regulator, although it requires a special kind of needle.

Children are particularly vulnerable to Mpox, a viral infection that typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions, as well as people with immune system conditions, such as HIV.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

The World Health Organisation and partners on Friday set up a scheme to help bring Mpox vaccines, tests, and treatments to the most vulnerable people in the world’s poorest countries, similar to efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, after earlier approving the first shot for the fast-spreading disease.

The World Health Organisation and partners on Friday set up a scheme to help bring Mpox vaccines, tests, and treatments to the most vulnerable people in the world’s poorest countries, similar to efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, after earlier approving the first shot for the fast-spreading disease. Both steps should make it easier for badly-hit African countries to access the vaccine, as a new type of the Mpox virus spreads from the Democratic Republic of Congo to its neighbours. The WHO has declared the outbreak a global public health emergency. “Alongside other public health interventions, vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics are powerful tools for bringing the Mpox outbreaks in Africa under control,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He said COVID-19 had shown the need for international collaboration to make access fairer. During the pandemic, many low-income countries were left behind in the global scramble for medical resources, particularly vaccines. Also read: India confirms first Mpox case in traveller who returned from 'country experiencing virus transmission' European countries, the United States, and Japan have already pledged to donate 3.6 million doses of the two main vaccines used against Mpox, the WHO said on Friday. Vaccinations are due to start on October 2 with the first tranches of donations. The WHO urged more countries to donate shots that were originally developed and stockpiled by rich nations for smallpox and said it would work with affected countries to get them to the people at the highest risk. Earlier on Friday, the WHO said it had approved Bavarian Nordic's vaccine, known as Jynneos in the United States. It is also considering LC16, made by the Japanese manufacturer KM Biologics. Watch | India confirms first travel-related mpox case × The approval, known as prequalification, means U.N. agencies can now buy the vaccines as well as help coordinate donations. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, co-funds vaccine purchases for low-income countries in this way and has up to $500 million to spend on Mpox. Delays The WHO has faced criticism for moving too slowly on Mpox vaccines. Bavarian Nordic's vaccine has been used worldwide since 2022 after US and European regulators backed it for use against a different strain of Mpox that spread globally in 2022. The WHO only formally began the process in August this year. Other factors, including the roughly $100 price tag for the vaccine, competing disease outbreaks, and sluggish processes in badly hit countries like Congo have also played a role. "The evidence we have now is... it is important we take advantage of it (the vaccine) to protect our population," Dimie Ogoina, chair of the WHO's Mpox emergency committee, had said before the approval. He however stressed that vaccines were not a "magic bullet" and other public health measures were also important. 'Off-label' use in children Bavarian Nordic said the vaccine was cleared for immunization against smallpox, Mpox, and related orthopoxvirus in those who are 18 and older, but it could be used "off-label" for children and pregnant and immunocompromised people in outbreak conditions, where the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. LC16 can already be given to children, according to the Japanese regulator, although it requires a special kind of needle. Children are particularly vulnerable to Mpox, a viral infection that typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions, as well as people with immune system conditions, such as HIV. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

WHO approves Bavarian Nordic's vaccine for Mpox

#Gravitas India's Ministry of Health confirmed its first case of mpox in the country. A young male patient, who had recently returned from a country grappling with an mpox outbreak, showed symptoms of the disease. In a statement on Monday evening, the ministry confirmed the individual as the first confirmed case of mpox in India.

Mpox comes to India. Are we prepared?

The&nbsp;chief&nbsp;of the United Nations'&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was shocked by the&nbsp;world's insufficient action to stop the crisis in&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;after visiting a children's hospital caring for malnourished infants in&nbsp;Port&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;on Saturday (September 7)

At a press conference on Sunday (Sep 8), Ghebreyesus urged the&nbsp;world&nbsp;to "wake up"&nbsp;and&nbsp;help&nbsp;the war-stricken country as if faces multiple crises.

Civilians in&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;are facing worsening famine, mass displacement&nbsp;and&nbsp;disease after 17 months of war, aid agencies say.

U.S.-led mediators said last month that they had secured guarantees from both parties at talks in Switzerland&nbsp;to improve access for humanitarian aid, but that the&nbsp;Sudanese army's absence from the discussions had hindered progress.

""Sudan&nbsp;is suffering through a perfect storm of crises. Over 500 days of conflict, the largest level of displacement in the&nbsp;world, famine in some parts&nbsp;and&nbsp;risk of this in others, 25.6 million people, over half of&nbsp;Sudan's population, are expected to face high-levels of acute food insecurity," Ghebreyesus said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-on-high-alert-as-first-suspected-mpox-case-detected-after-traveller-returns-from-africa-756891">India reports first suspected case of Mpox after traveller returns from Africa</a>

The&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;Chief&nbsp;said the people of&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;were struggling though flooding, dam bursting, diseases including cholera, malaria, dengue, measles, the risk of Mpox, conflict-related sexual violence&nbsp;and&nbsp;a near collapse of the country's entire health system.

Sudan's infrastructure was already in disrepair before the war between the&nbsp;Sudanese army&nbsp;and&nbsp;the paramilitary Rapid Forces which began in April 2023.

Both sides have since funnelled the bulk of their resources into the conflict, leaving infrastructure badly neglected&nbsp;and&nbsp;a healthcare system in disarray.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

The chief of the United Nations' World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was shocked by the world's insufficient action to stop the crisis in Sudan after visiting a children's hospital caring for malnourished infants in Port Sudan on Saturday (September 7) At a press conference on Sunday (Sep 8), Ghebreyesus urged the world to "wake up" and help the war-stricken country as if faces multiple crises.

The chief of the United Nations' World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was shocked by the world's insufficient action to stop the crisis in Sudan after visiting a children's hospital caring for malnourished infants in Port Sudan on Saturday (September 7) At a press conference on Sunday (Sep 8), Ghebreyesus urged the world to "wake up" and help the war-stricken country as if faces multiple crises. Civilians in Sudan are facing worsening famine, mass displacement and disease after 17 months of war, aid agencies say. U.S.-led mediators said last month that they had secured guarantees from both parties at talks in Switzerland to improve access for humanitarian aid, but that the Sudanese army's absence from the discussions had hindered progress. ""Sudan is suffering through a perfect storm of crises. Over 500 days of conflict, the largest level of displacement in the world, famine in some parts and risk of this in others, 25.6 million people, over half of Sudan's population, are expected to face high-levels of acute food insecurity," Ghebreyesus said. Also read: India reports first suspected case of Mpox after traveller returns from Africa The WHO Chief said the people of Sudan were struggling though flooding, dam bursting, diseases including cholera, malaria, dengue, measles, the risk of Mpox, conflict-related sexual violence and a near collapse of the country's entire health system. Sudan's infrastructure was already in disrepair before the war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Forces which began in April 2023. Both sides have since funnelled the bulk of their resources into the conflict, leaving infrastructure badly neglected and a healthcare system in disarray. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

WHO chief urges global action, calls Sudan situation a 'perfect storm of crises'

The Union Health Ministry said on Sunday (Sep 8) that a suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox)&nbsp;has been detected and has been isolated at one of the hospitals designated to handle such infections. A man, who recently travelled to an African country where Mpox is spreading, is currently undergoing tests to confirm the diagnosis.

“A young male patient, who recently travelled from a country currently experiencing Mpox (monkeypox) transmission, has been identified as a suspect case of Mpox. The patient has been isolated in a designated hospital and is currently stable,” the health ministry statement said.

“Samples from the patient are being tested to confirm the presence of Mpox. The case is being managed in line with established protocols, and contact tracing is ongoing to identify potential sources and assess the impact within the country,” the health ministry added.

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“The development of this case is consistent with the earlier risk assessment conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and there is no cause for any undue concern. The country is fully prepared to deal with such isolated travel-related cases and has robust measures in place to manage and mitigate any potential risk,” the health ministry concluded.

Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on August 14, 2024, for the second time in two years, the first being in 2022 when cases began spreading globally. The global outbreak was first reported in 2022, with cases emerging worldwide.

Following the WHO's global alert, the Union Health Ministry, in August, adopted recommendations from the NCDC, including heightened surveillance at entry points, identification and isolation of suspected and confirmed cases, laboratory testing, community awareness efforts, and infection control measures in hospitals.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Union Health Ministry said on Sunday (Sep 8) that a suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) has been detected and has been isolated at one of the hospitals designated to handle such infections.

The Union Health Ministry said on Sunday (Sep 8) that a suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) has been detected and has been isolated at one of the hospitals designated to handle such infections. A man, who recently travelled to an African country where Mpox is spreading, is currently undergoing tests to confirm the diagnosis. “A young male patient, who recently travelled from a country currently experiencing Mpox (monkeypox) transmission, has been identified as a suspect case of Mpox. The patient has been isolated in a designated hospital and is currently stable,” the health ministry statement said. “Samples from the patient are being tested to confirm the presence of Mpox. The case is being managed in line with established protocols, and contact tracing is ongoing to identify potential sources and assess the impact within the country,” the health ministry added. Also read: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tells PoK residents to 'come and join India' “The development of this case is consistent with the earlier risk assessment conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and there is no cause for any undue concern. The country is fully prepared to deal with such isolated travel-related cases and has robust measures in place to manage and mitigate any potential risk,” the health ministry concluded. Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on August 14, 2024, for the second time in two years, the first being in 2022 when cases began spreading globally. The global outbreak was first reported in 2022, with cases emerging worldwide. Following the WHO's global alert, the Union Health Ministry, in August, adopted recommendations from the NCDC, including heightened surveillance at entry points, identification and isolation of suspected and confirmed cases, laboratory testing, community awareness efforts, and infection control measures in hospitals. (With inputs from agencies)

India on high alert as first suspected Mpox case detected after traveller returns from Africa

A new review commissioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found no evidence linking mobile phone use to an increased risk of brain cancer. Watch in for more details!

WHO-backed study: Mobile phones not linked to brain cancer

The United Nations' (UN) World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday (August 29) said&nbsp;that a temporary pause&nbsp;in the ongoing conflict&nbsp;in Gaza will go into effect&nbsp;to facilitate polio vaccinations for the hundreds of thousands of children in the Palestinian enclave. The decision follows the confirmation of the first polio case in 25 years within the Palestinian territory, where a baby has been affected.

These "humanitarian pauses,"&nbsp;will last three days in different parts of the conflict-stricken area. The vaccination campaign is set to begin on Sunday (September 1) in central Gaza, according to Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories.

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Peeperkorn announced that after a three-day pause in southern Gaza, there will be a similar pause in northern Gaza. Each of these breaks is expected to last between eight and nine hours daily.

"I’m not going to say this is the ideal way forward. But this is a workable way forward," WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories&nbsp;said.

He added, "It will happen and should happen because we have an agreement."

Peeperkorn said WHO aims&nbsp;to vaccinate 640,000 children under the age of 10, and noted that the vaccination drive has been organised in coordination with Israeli authorities.

<h2>First case of polio in 25 years</h2>

On August 23, the WHO said&nbsp;that a 10-month-old infant in Gaza had been paralysed by type 2 polio virus, marking the first case in the region in 25 years. In response, UN agencies have urged for immediate vaccination of all infants.

The agencies had previously&nbsp;called on&nbsp;both Israel and the Palestinian&nbsp;militant group Hamas to agree to a seven-day humanitarian pause in their ongoing conflict to enable vaccination efforts.

"Polio does not distinguish between Palestinian and Israeli children,"&nbsp;the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) wrote in a post on X.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Nations' (UN) World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday (August 29) said that a temporary pause in the ongoing conflict in Gaza will go into effect to facilitate polio vaccinations for the hundreds of thousands of children in the Palestinian enclave.

The United Nations' (UN) World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday (August 29) said that a temporary pause in the ongoing conflict in Gaza will go into effect to facilitate polio vaccinations for the hundreds of thousands of children in the Palestinian enclave. The decision follows the confirmation of the first polio case in 25 years within the Palestinian territory, where a baby has been affected. These "humanitarian pauses," will last three days in different parts of the conflict-stricken area. The vaccination campaign is set to begin on Sunday (September 1) in central Gaza, according to Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories. Also read: Ukraine's newly acquired American made F-16 fighter jet crashes; reason unknown Peeperkorn announced that after a three-day pause in southern Gaza, there will be a similar pause in northern Gaza. Each of these breaks is expected to last between eight and nine hours daily. "I’m not going to say this is the ideal way forward. But this is a workable way forward," WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories said. He added, "It will happen and should happen because we have an agreement." Peeperkorn said WHO aims to vaccinate 640,000 children under the age of 10, and noted that the vaccination drive has been organised in coordination with Israeli authorities. First case of polio in 25 years On August 23, the WHO said that a 10-month-old infant in Gaza had been paralysed by type 2 polio virus, marking the first case in the region in 25 years. In response, UN agencies have urged for immediate vaccination of all infants. The agencies had previously called on both Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas to agree to a seven-day humanitarian pause in their ongoing conflict to enable vaccination efforts. "Polio does not distinguish between Palestinian and Israeli children," the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) wrote in a post on X. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza to see temporary peace as Israel agrees to 'humanitarian pauses' for polio vaccination

A World Health Organization (WHO) report has revealed that over&nbsp;15-year-old girls in England are likely to have had sex than girls of other nationalities of the same age. When pitted against boys, the girls outscore them.&nbsp;

The report also found that they are less likely to use a condom, a worrying trend experts say is putting them at risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexual diseases.

WHO raised concerns about them not using condoms and says this highlights the need for better sex education. The body added that access to contraception also needs to be improved.

As part of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, researchers conducted a survey among 242,000 15-year-olds in 42 countries between 2014 and 2022.

The survey found that 21 per cent of 15-year-old girls in England had sex in the most recent year, as compared to an average of 15 per cent across all nations.

On condom use, the percentages of those having used one were lesser than girls from other countries. Among the girls saying they have had sex, 48 per cent in England said they used a condom the last time. The global average was 57 per cent.&nbsp;

However, other methods of contraception did see a growth in this period. More of them were using the contraceptive pill during the time condom use went down.&nbsp;

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Forty-one per cent of them said they were on the contraceptive pill while 32 per cent did not use any of the methods. The global numbers were 26 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively.&nbsp;

<h2>Sex survey among boys</h2>

Among boys in England, the average number of them having sex at the age of 15 saw a decline when compared to other countries.&nbsp;

The survey found that around 18 per cent of 15-year-old boys in the country have had sex. The number was down from 22 per cent in 2018. In other countries, an average of 20 per cent of 15-year-old boys admitted to having sex.

Meanwhile, the use of condoms saw a decline as compared to the figures of 2018. Just 61 per cent of them used a condom as per the latest survey, while the number was 69 per cent in 2018.

Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said, "We need immediate and sustained action, underpinned by data and evidence, to halt this cascade of negative outcomes, including the likelihood of higher STI rates, increased healthcare costs, and - not least - disrupted education and career paths for young persons who do not receive the timely information and support they need." 
&nbsp;

A World Health Organization (WHO) report has revealed that over 15-year-old girls in England are likely to have had sex than girls of other nationalities of the same age.

A World Health Organization (WHO) report has revealed that over 15-year-old girls in England are likely to have had sex than girls of other nationalities of the same age. When pitted against boys, the girls outscore them. The report also found that they are less likely to use a condom, a worrying trend experts say is putting them at risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexual diseases. WHO raised concerns about them not using condoms and says this highlights the need for better sex education. The body added that access to contraception also needs to be improved. As part of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, researchers conducted a survey among 242,000 15-year-olds in 42 countries between 2014 and 2022. The survey found that 21 per cent of 15-year-old girls in England had sex in the most recent year, as compared to an average of 15 per cent across all nations. On condom use, the percentages of those having used one were lesser than girls from other countries. Among the girls saying they have had sex, 48 per cent in England said they used a condom the last time. The global average was 57 per cent. However, other methods of contraception did see a growth in this period. More of them were using the contraceptive pill during the time condom use went down. Also Read: Hong Kong encourages teens to play badminton instead of having premarital sex Forty-one per cent of them said they were on the contraceptive pill while 32 per cent did not use any of the methods. The global numbers were 26 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively. Sex survey among boys Among boys in England, the average number of them having sex at the age of 15 saw a decline when compared to other countries. The survey found that around 18 per cent of 15-year-old boys in the country have had sex. The number was down from 22 per cent in 2018. In other countries, an average of 20 per cent of 15-year-old boys admitted to having sex. Meanwhile, the use of condoms saw a decline as compared to the figures of 2018. Just 61 per cent of them used a condom as per the latest survey, while the number was 69 per cent in 2018. Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said, "We need immediate and sustained action, underpinned by data and evidence, to halt this cascade of negative outcomes, including the likelihood of higher STI rates, increased healthcare costs, and - not least - disrupted education and career paths for young persons who do not receive the timely information and support they need."

More 15-year-old girls in UK are having sex than boys of same age, WHO report finds

The United Nations' World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday (August 29), that temporary pause&nbsp;in the ongoing conflict&nbsp;in Gaza will go into effect&nbsp;to facilitate polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children. This decision follows the confirmation of the first polio case in 25 years within the Palestinian territory, where a baby has been affected.

These "humanitarian pauses,"&nbsp;will last three days in different parts of the conflict-stricken area. The vaccination campaign is set to begin on Sunday in central Gaza, according to Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Nations' World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday (August 29), that temporary pause in the ongoing conflict in Gaza will go into effect to facilitate polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children.

The United Nations' World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday (August 29), that temporary pause in the ongoing conflict in Gaza will go into effect to facilitate polio vaccinations for hundreds of thousands of children. This decision follows the confirmation of the first polio case in 25 years within the Palestinian territory, where a baby has been affected. These "humanitarian pauses," will last three days in different parts of the conflict-stricken area. The vaccination campaign is set to begin on Sunday in central Gaza, according to Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza to see temporary peace as Israel agrees to 'humanitarian pauses' for polio vaccination: WHO

With the World Health Organization declaring a global Public Health Emergency for Mpox, countries like India, Pakistan and China have all now sprung into action to protect their citizens from a possible outbreak. Watch in for more details!

MPOX outbreak: WHO declared Mpox outbreak as 'global health emergency'

The WHO warned further imported cases of the new, more dangerous MPOX strain in Europe were likely, after Sweden announced the first such infection outside Africa. Watch in for more details!

WHO warns more MPOX to come in Europe after case in Sweden

After the strains of mpox virus were detected outside Africa, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) officials on Friday (August 16) advised countries not to close borders or impose any travel restrictions.

At least one case of the&nbsp;mpox&nbsp;virus was confirmed by the health ministry of Pakistan. This virus has become a global concern because it is rapidly spreading through close contact.&nbsp;

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“There is no need to close borders. When we are in disease outbreaks, diseases don’t recognise borders, people will continue to cross a border, whether it is illegal crossing or not an illegal crossing. It doesn’t stop the disease from spreading,” said IFRC senior officer Bronwyn Nichol, while addressing a United Nations press briefing in Geneva.

<h2>WHO issues highest level of alert against mpox outbreak</h2>

WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said that a list of temporary recommendations will be published by her agency for the countries.

The WHO announced that the outbreak of this disease is a public health emergency at the international level after they identified a new variant of the virus.

Watch:&nbsp;Mpox Outbreak: Sweden confirms first case of Mpox

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On Thursday (August 15), global health officials confirmed that a new strain of the&nbsp;mpox&nbsp;virus has been detected in Sweden.

“On Sweden, in fact, this is in a sense a really good news. I mean, it’s not good news for the person who’s got the infection, but it shows the system has worked and that countries have really stepped up their vigilance,”&nbsp;WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said.

The WHO sounded the highest level of alert on Wednesday (August 14) after the mpox outbreak was reported in Africa.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

After the strains of mpox virus were detected outside Africa, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) officials on Friday (August 16) advised countries not to close borders or impose any travel restrictions.

After the strains of mpox virus were detected outside Africa, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) officials on Friday (August 16) advised countries not to close borders or impose any travel restrictions. At least one case of the mpox virus was confirmed by the health ministry of Pakistan. This virus has become a global concern because it is rapidly spreading through close contact. Also Read: Mpox crisis: Pakistan detects three cases, China to monitor arrivals of people, goods “There is no need to close borders. When we are in disease outbreaks, diseases don’t recognise borders, people will continue to cross a border, whether it is illegal crossing or not an illegal crossing. It doesn’t stop the disease from spreading,” said IFRC senior officer Bronwyn Nichol, while addressing a United Nations press briefing in Geneva. WHO issues highest level of alert against mpox outbreak WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said that a list of temporary recommendations will be published by her agency for the countries. The WHO announced that the outbreak of this disease is a public health emergency at the international level after they identified a new variant of the virus. Watch: Mpox Outbreak: Sweden confirms first case of Mpox On Thursday (August 15), global health officials confirmed that a new strain of the mpox virus has been detected in Sweden. “On Sweden, in fact, this is in a sense a really good news. I mean, it’s not good news for the person who’s got the infection, but it shows the system has worked and that countries have really stepped up their vigilance,” WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris said. The WHO sounded the highest level of alert on Wednesday (August 14) after the mpox outbreak was reported in Africa. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid mpox virus alert, WHO say don't 'close borders', impose 'travel restrictions'

The World Health Organization on Wednesday (August 14) declared that the mpox surge in Africa is now a global public health emergency, sounding its highest possible alarm over the worsening situation.

Also watch |&nbsp;Mpox in Africa: New MPOX strain stirs public health emergency in Africa

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"Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.

Amid worries caused by the rise in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the spread to nearby countries, the WHO hastily convened a meeting of experts to study the outbreak.

A Public Health Emergency is the highest level of alarm under the International Health Regulations, which are legally binding on 196 countries.

"The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying," said Tedros.

"It's clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives.

"This is something that should concern us all."

WHO's decision comes after the African Union's health watchdog declared its own public health emergency over the growing outbreak.

Tedros said the more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported so far this year in DR Congo had already exceeded last year's total.

"The emergence last year and rapid spread of clade 1b in DRC, which appears to be spreading mainly through sexual networks, and its detection in countries neighbouring DRC is especially concerning," he said, citing Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

He said many members feared the known situation in Africa was "actually the tip of the iceberg", because without surveillance, "we don't have the full picture".

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director, insisted: "We can stop transmission of mpox with a concerted effort."

Two vaccines for mpox are recommended by WHO immunisation experts.

<h2>What is mpox?</h2>

Formerly called monkeypox, the virus was first discovered in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC.

Mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.

The disease causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.

In May 2022, mpox infections surged worldwide, mostly affecting gay and bisexual men.

The WHO declared a public health emergency which lasted from July 2022 to May 2023. The outbreak, which has now largely subsided, caused some 140 deaths out of around 90,000 cases.

A Public Health Emergency has only been declared seven times previously since 2009: over H1N1 swine flu, poliovirus, Ebola, Zika virus, Ebola again, COVID-19 and mpox.

<h2>The cases reported so far</h2>

On Friday, the health department in Pakistan's&nbsp;Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said it detected three cases of mpox.&nbsp;The viral infection was detected in the patients on their arrival from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the department said.&nbsp;&nbsp;It was not immediately clear which variant was detected in the patients.

A day earlier, Sweden confirmed its first case of the viral infection, which was also the first case outside Africa.

Addressing a press conference,&nbsp;Olivia Wigzell, director-general at the Swedish Public Health Agency, said that the person was&nbsp;infected while staying in a part of Africa where there was a large outbreak of the disease.

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Health Organization on Wednesday (August 14) declared that the mpox surge in Africa is now a global public health emergency, sounding its highest possible alarm over the worsening situation.

The World Health Organization on Wednesday (August 14) declared that the mpox surge in Africa is now a global public health emergency, sounding its highest possible alarm over the worsening situation. Also watch | Mpox in Africa: New MPOX strain stirs public health emergency in Africa × "Today, the emergency committee met and advised me that in its view, the situation constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted that advice," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference. Amid worries caused by the rise in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the spread to nearby countries, the WHO hastily convened a meeting of experts to study the outbreak. A Public Health Emergency is the highest level of alarm under the International Health Regulations, which are legally binding on 196 countries. "The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighbouring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying," said Tedros. "It's clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives. "This is something that should concern us all." WHO's decision comes after the African Union's health watchdog declared its own public health emergency over the growing outbreak. Tedros said the more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported so far this year in DR Congo had already exceeded last year's total. "The emergence last year and rapid spread of clade 1b in DRC, which appears to be spreading mainly through sexual networks, and its detection in countries neighbouring DRC is especially concerning," he said, citing Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. He said many members feared the known situation in Africa was "actually the tip of the iceberg", because without surveillance, "we don't have the full picture". Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director, insisted: "We can stop transmission of mpox with a concerted effort." Two vaccines for mpox are recommended by WHO immunisation experts. What is mpox? Formerly called monkeypox, the virus was first discovered in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC. Mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact. The disease causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions. In May 2022, mpox infections surged worldwide, mostly affecting gay and bisexual men. The WHO declared a public health emergency which lasted from July 2022 to May 2023. The outbreak, which has now largely subsided, caused some 140 deaths out of around 90,000 cases. A Public Health Emergency has only been declared seven times previously since 2009: over H1N1 swine flu, poliovirus, Ebola, Zika virus, Ebola again, COVID-19 and mpox. The cases reported so far On Friday, the health department in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said it detected three cases of mpox. The viral infection was detected in the patients on their arrival from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the department said. It was not immediately clear which variant was detected in the patients. A day earlier, Sweden confirmed its first case of the viral infection, which was also the first case outside Africa. Addressing a press conference, Olivia Wigzell, director-general at the Swedish Public Health Agency, said that the person was infected while staying in a part of Africa where there was a large outbreak of the disease. (With inputs from agencies)

What is mpox? Which countries have reported cases so far?

#Gravitas | The World Health Organisation has declared a global health emergency over mpox outbreak after the rapid spread of a new variant in Africa.

Mpox Outbreak: W.H.O Sounds Alarm as New Variant Spreads Rapidly in Africa | Gravitas

In a report recently released, the Africa centres for disease control and prevention (Africa CDC) said Mpox cases have risen by 160 per cent on the continent in 2024 compared with the 2023 record. As of 28 July, a total of 14,250 cases and 456 deaths with a case fatality rate of 3.2 per cent have been recorded in 10 African nations, including Nigeria. While Nigeria recorded 24 cases with no deaths, the DRC topped with 13,791 cases and 450 deaths.

African Union declares Mpox a public health emergency | WION World of Africa

#Gravitas | Africa is edging closer to declaring a public health emergency over the alarming rise in Mpox cases. Over the past week alone, the continent has reported 887 confirmed cases of Mpox, bringing the total for the year to a staggering 15,132 cases. These numbers represent a 160% increase compared to the same period last year.

Mpox Epidemic: Africa reports over 800 cases of Mpox in just one week | Gravitas

Africa is standing at the cusp of witnessing a massive&nbsp;mpox outbreak, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to convene an urgent meeting to decide whether it constitutes a Public Health Emergency of international concern. At least 15 African countries are reporting an outbreak of mpox cases, including four of those that were previously unaffected — Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

As per the WHO, the 15 countries have reported 2,030 confirmed cases and 13 deaths so far in 2024. The number of suspected mpox cases this year has risen to over 15,000 in the continent, with more than 500 deaths. This is higher than the overall 1,145 cases and seven deaths reported in the previous year.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the United Nations body was concerned about its rapid expansion.

<h2>New variant circulating</h2>

Of all cases, 90 per cent have been reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alone. It’s where a new deadly variant has been circulating since September 2023. As per media reports, the clade 1b variant is crossing borders with a whopping 10 per cent mortality rate in children.

It’s harder to detect, with mutations not being picked up by existing tests. The variant is also believed to have caused dozens of deaths in Burundi, South Africa, and DR Congo.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjJj6CfgeiHAxVZzDgGHVxJMccQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/experts-warn-against-most-dangerous-mpox-strain-spreading-in-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-735351" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/experts-warn-against-most-dangerous-mpox-strain-spreading-in-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-735351&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJj6CfgeiHAxVZzDgGHVxJMccQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">Experts warn against `most dangerous` mpox strain spreading in Democratic Republic of the Congo</a>

Scientists now blame this variant for the outbreak in the regions that remained unaffected previously as enough preventive measures are not put in place.

"The most severe and lethal Clade 1 mpox, historically endemic to central Africa, has become predominant and is now found throughout the region," Zeil Rosenberg MD, executive vice president at Tonix Pharmaceuticals which is developing a mpox vaccine, was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.

<h2>About mpox</h2>

The disease generally spreads through direct animal contact, such as virus-carrying squirrels. However, new variants may also spread through human-to-human contact.

Watch:&nbsp;W.H.O convenes emergency meeting over MPOX outbreak; deadly strain on the move in Africa

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This virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. People with mpox often get a rash, along with other symptoms. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.

(With inputs from agencies)

Africa is standing at the cusp of witnessing a massive mpox outbreak, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to convene an urgent meeting to decide whether it constitutes a Public Health Emergency of international concern.

Africa is standing at the cusp of witnessing a massive mpox outbreak, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to convene an urgent meeting to decide whether it constitutes a Public Health Emergency of international concern. At least 15 African countries are reporting an outbreak of mpox cases, including four of those that were previously unaffected — Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. As per the WHO, the 15 countries have reported 2,030 confirmed cases and 13 deaths so far in 2024. The number of suspected mpox cases this year has risen to over 15,000 in the continent, with more than 500 deaths. This is higher than the overall 1,145 cases and seven deaths reported in the previous year. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the United Nations body was concerned about its rapid expansion. New variant circulating Of all cases, 90 per cent have been reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alone. It’s where a new deadly variant has been circulating since September 2023. As per media reports, the clade 1b variant is crossing borders with a whopping 10 per cent mortality rate in children. It’s harder to detect, with mutations not being picked up by existing tests. The variant is also believed to have caused dozens of deaths in Burundi, South Africa, and DR Congo. Also read: Experts warn against `most dangerous` mpox strain spreading in Democratic Republic of the Congo Scientists now blame this variant for the outbreak in the regions that remained unaffected previously as enough preventive measures are not put in place. "The most severe and lethal Clade 1 mpox, historically endemic to central Africa, has become predominant and is now found throughout the region," Zeil Rosenberg MD, executive vice president at Tonix Pharmaceuticals which is developing a mpox vaccine, was quoted as saying by Daily Mail. About mpox The disease generally spreads through direct animal contact, such as virus-carrying squirrels. However, new variants may also spread through human-to-human contact. Watch: W.H.O convenes emergency meeting over MPOX outbreak; deadly strain on the move in Africa × This virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. People with mpox often get a rash, along with other symptoms. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. (With inputs from agencies)

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