China has announced a significant shift in its approach to containing the rapidly escalating outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.
ABC reports that the National Health Commission (NHC) has revealed that, starting September 20, the country will manage mpox under Category B protocols, mirroring the measures implemented for infectious diseases like COVID-19.
This move comes in response to the detection of approximately 500 cases of the viral infection in August alone.
Mpox, a Global Concern
Mpox, originally prevalent in Central and West Africa, has been steadily gaining ground worldwide.
Since May 2022, more than 100 countries and regions have reported mpox outbreaks, with a mortality rate of 0.1 percent.
China reported its first imported mpox case in September 2022, and by June 2023, domestic outbreaks were rampant, with over 20 provincial-level regions affected.
China's decision to categorize mpox as a Class B infectious disease reflects the severity of the situation. Under Category B, authorities have the power to take emergency measures such as restricting gatherings, suspending work and school, or even sealing off affected areas when an outbreak occurs.
This classification places mpox in the same league as COVID-19, AIDS, and SARS.
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Mpox Outbreak in China
In August, China recorded a staggering 501 new mpox infections. However, the silver lining is that there were no reported severe cases or fatalities, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
This indicates that while the virus is highly contagious, its overall impact on health remains relatively low within the Chinese population.
As the South China Morning Post reports, epidemiological investigations reveal a unique trend in China's mpox cases.
A striking 98.9 percent of those infected are male, with an astounding 92.5 percent identified as MSM (men who have sex with men).
Transmission occurs primarily through sexual contact, making tracing difficult. This peculiar pattern underscores the complex nature of mpox transmission dynamics.
Global Impact and WHO Involvement
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a "public health emergency of international concern" in July of the previous year, only to reverse this designation in May 2023.
Since January 2022, more than 87,000 mpox cases have been reported globally across 111 countries and regions, resulting in 140 deaths.
Mpox's fatality rate varies significantly, from 0.1 to 10 percent. The WHO attributes these differences to factors such as access to healthcare and underlying immunosuppression.
While the severity of symptoms can vary among those infected, most individuals are expected to recover fully.
China's Evolving Response
China's response to mpox marks a notable shift. Previously, the country had classified COVID-19 as a Category A infectious disease, subjecting it to strict restrictions that included locking down entire cities.
However, by the end of 2022, China downgraded COVID-19 to Category B, signaling a changing approach to infectious diseases.
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