92 monkeypox cases confirmed in 12 countries, may spread globally: WHO
Highlight
- Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (virus transmitted from animals to humans)
- Symptoms of monkeypox are very similar to those seen in smallpox patients
- Monkeypox has been described as less severe clinically
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against the spread of monkeypox virus cases, as a total of 92 cases were confirmed in 12 countries. The WHO has now said that even if surveillance is expanded, the infection is likely to spread to more countries.
12 countries – the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden – are not endemic for the monkeypox virus, meaning the virus is not commonly found, unlike some countries . in Central and West Africa.
While no one has died so far, there are about 28 probable cases in these countries. The Global Health Agency said investigations are ongoing to confirm them.
WHO said, “As of May 21, 92 laboratory-confirmed cases, and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox, which are under investigation, have been reported to WHO from 12 member states, which are endemic for monkeypox virus in three WHO regions.” are not.” Statement.
“No related deaths have been reported to date. The situation is evolving and WHO expects more cases of monkeypox to be identified as surveillance in non-endemic countries,” the agency said.
The WHO said the identification of confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox without a direct travel link from an endemic area “represents a highly unusual event”.
Surveillance in non-endemic areas has been limited to date, but is now expanding, and WHO expects only a handful of cases to be reported in non-endemic areas.
Available information suggests that human-to-human transmission is occurring in people who are in close physical contact with symptomatic cases.
But “cases have not been identified primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM)”.
WHO stresses the need to stop the spread of monkeyvirus
To contain the spread, WHO stressed the need for “urgent action focused on informing those who may be most at risk of monkeypox infection” with accurate information.
The UN health body said currently available evidence suggests that those most at risk are those who have had close physical contact with someone with monkeypox while they are symptomatic.
This is in relation to the UK and Spain, which have seen cases involving gay and bisexual men, requiring health officials to be aware of any unusual rashes or sores from gay and bisexual men and to contact sexual health service without delay. urged to do.
WHO said it is also working to provide guidance to protect frontline health care providers and other health workers who may be at risk, such as cleaners.
In addition, so far all the cases whose samples were confirmed by PCR have been identified as being infected with the West African race.
Genome sequences from a swab sample from a confirmed case in Portugal indicate a close match of the monkeypox virus causing the current outbreak to cases exported from Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Israel and Singapore in 2018 and 2019.
Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (virus transmitted from animals to humans) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in patients with smallpox, although it is less severe clinically.
(With inputs from IANS)