Geneva, August 26 (XINHUA) -- The World Health Organization launched a global strategic prevention and response plan for monkeypox on August 26 to contain the spread of the epidemic through coordinated efforts at the global, regional, and national levels.

The World Health Organization stated in a press release that the program will run from September this year to February next year, with a budget of $135 million. This plan aims to implement a comprehensive monitoring, prevention, and response strategy for the monkeypox epidemic, promote research and equitable access to diagnostic testing tools, vaccines, and other medical supplies, minimize animal to human transmission, and enhance the community's ability to actively participate in epidemic prevention and control.

The announcement stated that the plan will also promote vaccination of high-risk populations such as close contacts of monkeypox cases and medical staff to cut off the transmission chain. At the global level, the program focuses on providing strategic leadership, timely evidence-based guidance, and ensuring that risk groups in affected countries have access to medical response measures.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease. The initial symptoms of monkeypox infection in humans include fever, headache, muscle soreness, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes, which can later develop into a widespread rash on the face and body. Most infected individuals will recover within a few weeks, but there are also cases of severe illness or even death.