…officials say no need to panic 

Nima Wangdi 

As the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, Monkeypox, another viral disease, has been reported in 11 countries recently.

The government is closely following the situation. People are urged not to panic as officials would inform the nation on time of any development.

A PMO official said the country is still fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and the new risks are emerging. “For now, precautions and following Covid-19 norms are all that needs to be done.”

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the Monkeypox virus. It leads to rash and flu-like symptoms. Like the better-known virus that causes smallpox, it is classified as an orthopoxvirus.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), since 1970, human cases of Monkeypox have been reported from 11 African countries – Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan.

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA, Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name ‘Monkeypox.’ The first human case of Monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox.

“Since then Monkeypox has been reported in humans in other central and western African countries,” CDC

Going by the International media reports, the leaders of the WHO would be holding an emergency meeting on Monkeypox fearing an international outbreak.

Eleven countries reported Monkeypox as of yesterday according to the reports. The countries are Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the US. Germany and Belgium reported Monkeypox cases yesterday.

The Indian government yesterday began surveillance at all international entry points.  

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dechen Wangmo has left for Geneva for the upcoming Work Health Assembly (WHA). Lyonpo is expected to interact with global experts on various topics including Covid-19 and Monkeypox.

Lyonpo will also be handing over the chair to her successor after a one-year tenure as a President of WHA.