Dealing with monkeypox must be learned from the past

Our experience with the monkeypox virus reminds us of some of the most painful aspects of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic: neglect of risk, inadequate testing capacity, lack of demographic data on cases, contacts. Difficulty in racing, poor access to consumables, strategic national stocks, and overall uncertainty are causing more and more false information.

Despite calls from AMA and others Strengthen Japan’s public health infrastructure And the reality is that there is much more to be done to strengthen Japan’s readiness for the next crisis. Our public health system is still COVID-19 compliant while facing the outbreak of monkeypox, which the World Health Organization recently declared a global health emergency, and is the first in the United States in more than a decade. A case of polio was reported in.

The monkeypox, first identified in 1958, is an orthopoxvirus of the same viral family as smallpox, but causes mild symptoms and is rarely fatal. Symptoms include: Blisters and acne, fever, chills, headaches, body aches, malaise, rashes that look like swollen lymph nodes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children, people with weakened immunity, pregnant or lactating people, and people with a history of eczema are at greatest risk of serious illness or death. is.

The disease can occur in a variety of ways, including direct contact with an infectious rash, close physical contact, contact with an infected animal, or contact with clothing, linen, or other items contaminated with a rash or body fluids. It may spread. Diseases caused by the virus often last for two to four weeks, and infected people can spread the virus after symptoms appear until the subsequent rash is completely healed.

Monkeypox is often described as mild, but some patients infected with the virus during its current outbreak describe skin lesions as “debilitating pain.”You can find additional information Answers to Frequently Asked Questions from AMA..

Until this year, monkeypox was rarely reported outside of Central and West Africa. The CDC said only two cases of monkeypox were reported in the United States last year.

Today, more than 15,000 cases have been recorded in more than 65 countries that have historically not reported monkeypox. The number in the United States exceeded 2,300 as of July 21, with cases reported in most states. However, as is the case with the current number of COVID-19 cases, the total number of monkeypox infections is almost certainly higher than these figures indicate.

The difference from monkeypox is the fact that we already have an effective vaccine, and there is an opportunity to contain the current outbreak by strong testing, disease monitoring, contact tracing, and vaccination. However, if you respond in the same untuned way as you did for COVID-19 in early 2020, this window will close. COVID-19 played an important role in the rapid and constant spread.

The monkeypox test was initially available through the Public Health Institute, but many health professionals are not familiar with the public health department and how to access this test. Delays in receiving test results hindered contract tracking efforts. Access to tests shouldn’t be too much of an issue as testing through commercial and academic laboratories is on the rise, but the cost of testing through these labs can be a potential barrier.

Demographic data on monkeypox cases remains a challenge. You should be aware that the CDC does not have direct authority to request data reporting. CDC Get the data From 50 states and more than 3,000 local jurisdictions and territories that require the conclusion of data sharing agreements. Experience with COVID-19 has shown that demographic data is important for communicating the fair distribution of resources.

In addition, the Jynneos vaccine is available through strategic national stockpiles, but 780,000 doses were stored at a Danish supplier, waiting for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ground inspection and approval to be completed before shipping. .. The inspection to the United States was scheduled to be completed this fall, but the timeline was accelerated and ended in mid-July. Limited access to vaccine doses available to the public health sector has been frustrating, but supply is improving.

In addition, antiviral drugs such as TPOXX (tecovirimat) are also available on social media, but doctors and other clinicians must request access through the state or territory health department or the CDC Emergency Operations Center. Patients have been needed because the FDA initially approved the drug only for the treatment of smallpox Enroll in clinical trials Get access. Trial requirements are very labor intensive. The CDC is working with the FDA on a revised and simplified protocol to reduce data collection and reporting requirements.

It is very important to remember the public health lessons learned from the early days of the HIV epidemic about 40 years ago. At this time, false messages fostered irrational fear and fostered persistent prejudice and prejudice against the LGBTQ + population. The virus can infect anyone, regardless of social status, sexual orientation, or other demographic considerations. That said, it is important to understand and clearly communicate the risk factors and procedures to prevent infection.

If recent history has taught us something, it means that we should not think of anything that is taken for granted in dealing with the outbreak of a viral disease. We consistently and sustainably fund public health infrastructure, support incentives to support the recruitment and retention of staff within the government’s public health workforce, modernize public health data systems, medical care and the public. Interoperability between sanitation systems should be promoted to ensure fair access to public health funds. program.

Improving communication between the health department and licensed health professionals within its jurisdiction not only addresses monkeypox, but also the threat of illness to all public health emergencies that are certain to continue. Improve