Warning of a new pandemic… Is there any reason to worry?

Nader Hegaz wrote on the MTV website:

Warnings have been issued about the risk of smallpox reaching Lebanon, and the possibility that it will turn into an epidemic similar to the Corona epidemic. Is there really anything to worry about?

The disease has spread widely in African countries, at higher levels than in previous years, to the extent that it has become a public health crisis in the African Union, and the World Health Organization has declared in fact it is a global health emergency due to the risk it poses. .
Health sources confirm, via the MTV website, that monkeypox is an old disease on the African continent and is not new, confirming that it is not dangerous and there is no cause for concern.
The sources indicate that “Lebanon follows the guidelines of the World Health Organization and the guidelines it issued. “

But what about the procedures of the Ministry of Health?
The sources answer: “Lebanon recorded some cases of this disease, the last one in March last year, among people coming from Africa, and they were dealt with at that time by the Ministry of Health, through ​​​​​​​Department of Epidemiological Research. “
She says confidently, “It is not considered an epidemic that needs warning, what is needed is some precautionary measures regarding the recordable cases and the conditions for dealing with them. “

Are the necessary vaccinations available? Sources explain that there are no vaccines, but most of the cases recorded since 2022 were linked to certain things and were isolated until they recovered.
Health sources explain that this disease is a virus, which originated in the Congo, and is not an allergic disease, and it developed and reached humans after infecting monkeys and -only.

Reassurance does not mean ignoring the disease, not taking precautions against it, or not enforcing precautionary health measures at the airport. It could cause death with 3 percent, and its symptoms are unusual, especially skin rashes in the form of blisters or blisters, and it affects the sexual organs. It causes fever, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
Therefore, health prevention is always better than a pound of treatment.