• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Sci-tech

Public should not panic over monkeypox: Prof Karim

26 July 2022, 10:55 AM  |
SABC SABC |  @SABCNews
FILE PHOTO: Head of the Institute of Microbiology of the German Armed Forces Roman Woelfel works in his  laboratory  in Munich, May  20, 2022, after Germany has detected its first case of monkeypox.

FILE PHOTO: Head of the Institute of Microbiology of the German Armed Forces Roman Woelfel works in his laboratory in Munich, May 20, 2022, after Germany has detected its first case of monkeypox.

Image: Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Head of the Institute of Microbiology of the German Armed Forces Roman Woelfel works in his laboratory in Munich, May 20, 2022, after Germany has detected its first case of monkeypox.

Renowned epidemiologist, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, has sought to explain the reasons behind the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring monkeypox a global health emergency, saying an internationally coordinated response is necessary.

Over 16 000 cases have been reported in 75 countries and there have been five monkeypox-related deaths – all of which were in Africa. Three infections have been reported in South Africa so far.

Karim has reminded the public not to panic.

“Those who have indicated they have it, we don’t need to be that concerned, but on the flip side there are over 70 countries that have never had monkeypox before where monkeypox is being reported and there is local spread. That is deeply concerning. So, even though there are only five deaths reported, it is not a disease that we need to be panicked about but it is a disease that needs some kind of internationally coordinated response,” says Karim.

WHO declares monkeypox a global health emergency:

Health Department on high alert after WHO declares monkeypox a global emergency

The Department of Health in South Africa says it remains on high alert following the announcement by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the ongoing monkeypox outbreak has been declared a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’.

This is the highest alarm WHO can sound.

Chief Director for Primary Healthcare at the National Health Department, Ramphelane Morewane says the country is ready to mobilise COVID-19 resources if an outbreak is declared in the country.

“We are concerned because we are part of the global village. Even though the cases are more concentrated in Europe and the Americas, we are worried because of travel connections through countries. We are not immune,” says Morewane.

“The declaration of the public health emergency of international concern means an increased attention is required because of the speed that the virus is spreading. It allows us to tap into our resources and luckily we have been doing this during COVID-19. We are on alert, we are not dropping our guards, we are on alert,” Morewane reiterates.

“So in short, we have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly, through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little and which meets the criteria in the International Health Regulations.”-@DrTedros #monkeypox

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) July 23, 2022

Share article
Tags: South AfricaAfricaWorld Health OrganisationWHOSalim Abdool KarimEpidemiologistmonkeypox
Previous Post

Homeowners feeling the pinch following interest rate hike

Next Post

‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Law & Order’ actor Paul Sorvino dies at 83

Related Posts

A tap with a droplet of water.

UN Water Conference kicks off as world marks World Water Day

22 March 2023, 9:30 PM
Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, the Old Coronation Hospital.

“Report exposes state of Gauteng public health facilities”

15 March 2023, 11:09 AM
Members of Nehawu on strike

Phaahla links four deaths to Nehawu’s wage strike

9 March 2023, 1:00 PM
Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to a screen projection of Instagram logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018.

Instagram down for thousands of users globally

9 March 2023, 7:33 AM
[File Image]: A nurse at one of South Africa's hospital during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

Patients suffer as health workers strike

9 March 2023, 7:30 AM
A representation of depression

Negative impact of rolling blackouts on mental health

7 March 2023, 5:56 PM
Next Post
Paul Sorvino attends the 29th annual Producers Guild Awards in Beverly Hills, California, U.S. January 20, 2018

'Goodfellas' and 'Law & Order' actor Paul Sorvino dies at 83

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Durban’s N2 road, Spaghetti Junction closed due to cleanup operations
  • DENOSA defends nurses for placing newborns in boxes
  • Limpopo teacher writes a book which simplifies Maths
  • Limpopo healthcare set to get massive boost with multi-billion rand hospital
  • Dr Nandipha’s looks during court appearances under the spotlight
  • Experts raise caution over Prime energy drink craze
  • Reserve Bank expected to increase repo rate on Thursday
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Zimbabwe receives 18 helicopters from Russian Federation
  • Limpopo district embroiled in fraudulent travel claims
  • Weather Service warns of disruptive rainfall in parts of KZN
  • Mabuyane taking President, SIU and University of Fort Hare to court
  • Magudumana was in Tanzania illegally, argues police representative in court
  • UPDATE: Dr Nandipha’s legal representative argues she was not deported to SA

LATEST

A mine
  • Business
  • Opinion

Harry Oppenheimer biography shows the SA mining magnate’s hand in economic policies


Tennis player holding a tennis ball and racket.
  • Sport

Swiatek briefly loses focus on way to French Open third round


ANC flag
  • South Africa

ANC staff member in George appears in court over alleged rape


Paris Saint Germain's Lionel Messi
  • Sport

Saturday’s game to be last of Messi ‘this season’, says club


BRICS logo and associated countries' flags seen at an event
  • South Africa

SA remains host of BRICS Summit: Magwenya


President Cyril Ramaphosa in Parliament
  • Politics

Work being done provides solid hope that electricity crisis will end: Ramaphosa


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous Homeowners feeling the pinch following interest rate hike
Next ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Law & Order’ actor Paul Sorvino dies at 83