Month: August 2024

A study that has been conducted has ranked Abu Dhabi as the safest city in the world for the eight consecutive year this is due to the commitment of the emirate in provision of security, healthcare and general well being. Securing the highest scores in safety and healthcare, the capital of the UAE not only continues to hold the title of the safest city in the world but also holds the positions of the most liveable city in the MENA region.

 The Global Safest Cities Index

The title ‘The Safest City’ stems from the Global Safest Cities Index where cities are ranked based on some parameters such as crime rates, efficiency of law enforcement among other factors such as access to health facilities. This is the reason why Abu Dhabi always occupies high positions on these lists: there is little crime, many policemen and highly developed emergency services.

What Makes Abu Dhabi So Safe?

1. Low Crime Rates: What is perhaps one of the strongest indicators of safety level in Abu Dhabi is the crime rate which is rather low. Criminals are discouraged by the various implemented laws and regulations put in place by the city government together with the efficient law enforcing mechanisms that ensures that the culprits are apprehended and brought to book.

2. Advanced Surveillance Systems: Abu Dhabi has invested a lot of money on better security systems that include a widespread video surveillance system and a range of special systems. All these tools make it possible for the authorities to have tight security all over the city.

3. Proactive Law Enforcement: The policemen in Abu Dhabi are well-trained, and they patrol around with all the necessary equipment which enhances their performance in case of any eventuality of an incident. Using elements like community police as well as the fluency in the notion of public safety, they keep the environment secure.

4. Community Engagement: The role of the government cannot be overemphasized since it counts on the community to support it’s safety related activities. Awareness programmes and awareness campaigns popularize participation of the residents in the safety of the city and foster a culture of ownership.

 Healthcare: A Pillar of Livability

Apart from safety, there is another even more significant aspect of livability, namely the healthcare, and according to the statistics, Abu Dhabi also boasts one of the best healthcare systems in the world. The city boasts of excellent health care facilities and services the health standards of the city are well enhanced to meet the needs of the people as well as visitors.

 – State-of-the-Art Medical Facilities: modern healthcare facilities of Abu Dhabi are among the best in the region when it comes to possessing elaborated technical equipment and qualified personnel.

 – Accessible Healthcare: Healthcare facilities: the health care provision in the city is Universal with many centers and clinics in the emirate of Dubai that both private and public health care.

 – Public Health Initiatives: Several programs that have to do with promoting the health of the masses have been begun by the Government of Abu Dhabi. These activities include; mass immunization, health promotion activities, and health check-ups that enhance the wellbeing of the people.

 Abu Dhabi: The Most Livable City in MENA

While this finding might seem obvious given the current global standing of Abu Dhabi as a city, it brightens the emirate’s gleam by confirming it the most livable city in entire MENA region. In safety, which is a key factor of livability, citizens of a country can only be safe and secure if adequate health care is availed to them, the infrastructure is well developed, the education system is good, and the environment friendly.

– Infrastructure: The infrastructure in Abu Dhabi is generally modern; the road infrastructure is excellent and the maintenance of roads is good; transportation on public means is averagely good; the emirate has all the amenities that a people might require depending on their nature.

 – Education: The city provides a number of educational facilities, formal state schools, private schools implementing the programs of the curriculum of various countries, universities and research centers.

 – Environment and Sustainability: Another area that has been receiving a lot of concern from Abu Dhabi is environmental conservation through the reduction of carbon emission, enhancement of conservation of renewable energy as well as the conservation of natural resources. The green areas, parks and beaches are beneficial characteristics of the city they make the life of people and the visiting tourists more comfortable.

 The Future of Abu Dhabi

That Abu Dhabi has maintained the title of the safest city globally and the most suitable city in the MENA region is evidence enough of the leadership’s foresight and aspiration for the welfare of the population. The governing body of the city has laid down its vision for the coming years as to infrastructure development, health care and law enforcement.

With developments still taking place in Abu Dhabi, its constant demonstration of a city that is both developed and safe, healthy, and comfortable to live in can be seen throughout the world. From a security and health perspective, from the experience of work and rest, for residents, expatriates and tourists, Abu Dhabi is an open and safe city.

 Conclusion

The global rating that placed Abu Dhabi as the world’s safest city for the eighth time in a row is yet another accomplishment that underlines the emirate’s commitment to the wellbeing of its population. With high safe and health care numbers, this city is a world model and a clear example of the most sustainable city to live in the MENA region. As the city of Abu Dhabi evolves into a global beacon, it sets pace on other cities which desire to develop the standards of the living with security and adequate provision of infrastructure.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease which has recently attracted the world’s attention because of possible outbreaks and the health issues connected with it. Its significance is however relatively newer, which was first identified in monkeys in 1958. This article endeavours to give an overview of monkeypox; its general background, how it spreads, how it presents, how it can be prevented, the recent outbreaks that have been observed.

What is Monkeypox? 

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease that results from monkeypox virus, the member of the Orthopoxvirus genus that also features variola virus that causes smallpox and vaccinia virus which is used in vaccination against smallpox. Monkeypox is named as such, but the primary hosts are rodents and other small mammals with humans as incidental hosts.

The disease was first discovered in people in 1970, in what was then the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, monkeypox has been identified in several countries in Central and West Africa and very occasionally in other parts of the world where it has probably been imported.

Transmission of Monkeypox Virus

Monkey pox is mostly acquire thru contact with the tissues,eg, blood or fluids or with the skin crusts of the affected animals. Transmission is from human to human through respiratory secretion, direct contact with body fluids or surfaces such as beds.

Another mode of transmission is through the large droplets and this can only be through close contact face to face contact. That is why close family members and healthcare workers are vulnerable during the outbreak of a particular virus.

Symptoms of Monkeypox

The incubation period for monkeypox averages between 6 -13 days but can be between 5–21 days. The disease progresses through two phases:The disease progresses through two phases:

1. Invasion Phase: This phase can last up to 5 days and includes for instance fever, severe headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, muscle aches, and fatigue. Lymphadenopathy is also differentiating factor in Monkeypox as compared to smallpox.

2. Eruption Phase: Accompanying the fever, in 1 to 3 days a rash appears; the face is affected primarily, and then other parts of the body. The rash has macular (flat discolored area, which is slightly elevated but not raised), papular (bumps on the skin that are elevated but unsaceous), vesicular (raised rounded affecting fluid filled lesions), and pustular (raised round focal pus filled lesion) stages and ends up with stages of crusting and desquamation where the skin falls off.

In general, the intensity of the illness is not extremely high and; therefore, monkeypox can be considered mild to moderate in most of the infected individuals. However, the disease could be serious in children or in persons with compromised immune systems and may cause death.

Prevention and Treatment

Monkeypox cannot be cured but the smallpox vaccine has been proved to be effectinve as a post exposure prophylaxis. Due to recent emergence of some few cases of this disease in some parts of the world, some countries have considered revaccination for populations at risk such as those in the health care facilities or those in the endemic regions.

Preventive measures include:

– Minimizing contact with animals that may be reservoirs of the virus especially in regions where the virus is probably to be found.
– Taking care and washing hands most of the time with soap and water.
– Quarantining the affected individuals so as to curb the spread of the disease.
– Adhering to strict infection control practises while handling the patients such as wearing of personal protective gears.

Recent Outbreaks and Global Impact

Monkeypox has continued to circulate in a number of African countries with different cases in those countries reoccurring from time to time. But, the last decade recorded several outbreaks of the virus outside Africa hence a new dimension to the spread of the virus.

Autumn of 2022 saw the monkeypox virus to spread beyond the endemic countries which triggered alarms of another health crisis. The WHO has therefore stressed on the need to closely follow the development and take relevant steps towards containment of the strain.

Outside Africa, the rationale for increased cases has included travellers crossing borders, alteration of contact between animals and humans and the decline in small pox vaccination due to the discontinuation of small pox in 1980.

Conclusion

Thus, Monkeypox is a vivid example that zoonotic diseases remain an acute concern, and adequate systems should be in place to recognize and address new risks. Although the disease is considerably less frequent than other viral illnesses, the propensity for outbreaks should not be underestimated.

It is therefore important that relevant publics be made aware of monkeypox and where possible prevent its spread and ensure early intervention for the vulnerable. However, given the recent incidence of zoonotic viral diseases, further research, surveillance, and interprofessional collaboration all around the globe over the issues arising from such diseases are essential.

While writing this article I took into consideration that Its target audience will consist of virtually anyone; therefore the general presentation of the facts coupled with the main goal of creating awareness on the topic will be done by the use of a simple storyline which will be easy for lay understanding. The guidelines offer very important information on the virus including ways through which individuals and the community can protect themselves.

It is quite noteworthy that over the number of years, the world has witnessed a sequence of viral phenomena. The newest virus to capture the world’s interest is Monkeypox, a disease that until recently has stayed largely in Africa. But I now learn this virus has viral to other parts of the world it has affected over 500, 000 people. And as the numbers go up again, the drug makers are putting on their dancing shoes once more, ready to confront the new alter ego. Here is what you should know about Monkeypox; its transmission and prevention measures being taken to eradicate it.

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is closely related to smallpox though it is a zoonotic disease which is transferred from animals to man. The symptoms are very similar to small pox but the effect is not as severe as small pox. Monkeypox was first identified in 1958, after outbreaks were observed in research monkeys and hence the name Monkeypox; the first instance of human infection was reported in 1970 in Demcratic Republic of Congo. Since then the virus has been circulating in some of the areas within the Central and West Africa sub regions.

How is Monkeypox Spread?

Only close contact person to person, or animal to person, or touch with object contaminated with the virus can cause the disease. It can be transmitted directly through the respiratory secretions from an infected person or may exist from the body fluids or skin rash. It can also spread in cases where an object such as bedding or clothing happens to be contaminated by the viral particles.

The Global Spread of Monkeypox

A change of events happened in the year 2022, where Monkeypox started to infect people beyond Africa, in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. This unprecedented spread has also prompted health officials globally to sit up. Other attributes like new human mobility especially with the globalization and expansion process and alteration of human-animal relationships and possibly a factor of evolution of the virus to new strains all contribute to the spread of the virus.

till now over 500,000 individuals have been confirmed positive for Monkeypox all around the world. The high prevalence of the virus has led to calls made to the public by the relevant authorities and general preventive measures such as mass immunization.

Pharmaceutical Companies Gear Up

Notably, Monkeypox is raging through the population, and the pharma firms are starting with their standard routines, including the search for vaccines and cures. Many firms are currently focusing on AS02, an adjuvant system used in future smallpox vaccines, to treat Monkeypox as such vaccines are effective against Monkeypox. Besides the vaccines, anti-viral medications for dealing with the virus are also under consideration at the same time.

The Role of Vaccines

The vaccine is one of the best weapons that are available to humanity in the fight against Monkeypox. Monkeypox has been proved to be prevented by the same vaccine which was used for smallpox until it was wiped out in 1980. As for now, there are some vaccines in the experimental and research stage that is being made to combat Monkeypox. Authorities from the health sector of the countries affected have embarked on a vaccination exercise and targeting the vulnerable groups which include persons in the health care sector and individuals who had close contact with affected persons.

Public Health Measures and Preparedness

It is worthy of note that the prevention of Monkeypox depends not only on medications but also on the measures used in the sphere of public health. These measures include:

1. Quarantine and Isolation: Those that are affected are quarantined to ensure that the virus does not spread its wings.
2. Contact Tracing: Quarantining: The act of determining people who have been closely associated with individuals suffering from the virus is crucial if the occurrence of the virus is to be controlled.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns: There is the need for raising the public awareness of the Monkeypox virus signs, ways of spread, and how to prevent it.

What’s Next?

While the global community is experiencing another viral outbreak in the form of monkeypox, the role that pharmaceutical firms and governments together with the ministry of health and other organizations will define the spread of this disease. The good news is that through more research, development of vaccines and programmes established to control the spread of diseases, it is believed that the virus can be contained.

However, they are still subject to change and that’s why one needs to constantly follow the updates. National health authorities and the governmental leadership and their counterparts in other countries worldwide continue closely watching the development of the coronavirus and responding to new pieces of information.

Conclusion

As you may know, the monkeypox is the newest threat in the war against arising histological diseases. The virus jumping beyond the African region and infecting over 500000 people is a wakeup call of the reality that the world is a village and illness has the ability of going round the globe at the blink of an eye. An individual should remain constantly informed and be as cautious as possible to avert the catastrophe that is rapidly being prepared by these companies and public health authorities.

Several measures, including finding effective vaccines and treatments, will be stepped up in the coming months on a worldwide basis along with launching the preventive measures. Monkeypox response therefore will be an excellence opportunity to assess how prepared and or otherwise our global community is in preventing and controlling the spread of newly emerging zoonotic diseases in a now integrated global village.

To summarise, be alert, be safe and brace for the next phase.