Title: Significant Increase in Monkeypox Cases Reported in China, Concerns of Global Outbreak Grow
Word Count: 381
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed alarm over a remarkable surge in weekly cases of monkeypox in China. According to the latest data from the WHO, there were 117 confirmed cases in China for the week ending July 21, compared to a mere six cases throughout the entirety of 2022. This surge in cases represents a rise of over 50% in just three weeks.
Initially, the global monkeypox outbreak commenced in the United Kingdom before spreading to Europe and the United States. While China had previously implemented strict COVID-19 restrictions and limited travel, which may have contributed to a lower number of cases at the beginning, the recent surge has caught the attention of health authorities worldwide.
In China, the monkeypox outbreak has primarily affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Nevertheless, experts note that anyone is susceptible to contracting the virus. Despite the WHO declaring the monkeypox public health emergency over in May 2023, new cases have recently been reported in various Asian countries, including Japan, Thailand, and now China.
Concerns have been raised about the irregularity of case reporting in China. The Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) only released a single report in June, documenting 106 cases. This lack of consistent reporting has raised questions about the true extent of the outbreak within the country.
While the global community relies on various vaccines to curb the spread of monkeypox, China has not approved any of the three vaccines currently in use worldwide. Instead, China has chosen to develop its own homegrown vaccine. However, there has been a noticeable lack of urgency in combating the outbreak within China, as the Chinese CDC only recently published a prevention and control program that does not include a mention of a vaccine campaign.
Experts emphasize that diseases can rapidly spread in today’s interconnected world. What occurs in China can have significant consequences for other countries. As monkeypox continues to escalate in China, global health officials are urging swift action and collaboration to prevent a widespread and potentially devastating outbreak both within and beyond China’s borders.
Sources:
– World Health Organization
– Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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