So far in May, more than 300 suspected and confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported in 23 countries, mostly in Europe.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Monday (May 30, 2022) that it does not believe the recent outbreak outside of Africa is related to monkeypox. Africa will lead to a new pandemic. The World Health Organization also stated that it is unclear whether infected people who do not exhibit symptoms can transmit the disease.
More than 300 suspected and confirmed cases of monkeypox, a mild illness spread through close contact that can cause flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin sores, have been reported in nearly 23 countries in May, mostly in Europe.
When asked if this monkeypox outbreak has the potential to become a pandemic, Rosamund Lewis, WHO Health Emergency Program’s technical chief for monkeypox, said, “We don’t know, but we don’t think so.”
“We are not concerned about a global pandemic at this time,” she told Reuters.
The WHO official said that once monkeypox has been contracted, the period of rash emergence and scabs falling off is recognized as an infectious period, but there is limited information about whether people who are not symptomatic of The virus have been spread.
“We don’t know if there is the asymptomatic transmission of monkeypox — this hasn’t been a major feature in the past — but that remains to be determined,” she said.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is debating whether the outbreak should be classified as a “potential public health emergency of international concern,” or PHEIC. A similar announcement, as made for COVID-19 and Ebola, would help accelerate research and funding for disease prevention.
Read More: Covid-19 fourth wave scare: India records 2,706 new cases, 25 deaths in last 24 hours.
Monkeypox virus kills 9 in Congo; First death in Nigeria in 2022
According to health officials in both countries, monkeypox killed nine people in Congo in 2022, while Nigeria saw its first death from the disease.
According to Dr. Aim Alongo, head of the Sankuru health division in Congo, the country has 465 confirmed cases of the disease, making it the worst hit in West and Central Africa, where the disease is endemic.
Dr. Alongo said that this disease in Congo remains due to the consumption of dead monkeys and rodents.
According to the Nigeria Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 of 66 suspected cases of the disease, which is typically endemic in Nigeria and other parts of West and Central Africa, were confirmed in 2022.
“A 40-year-old patient with co-morbidities and on immunosuppressive drugs died,” the Nigeria CDC reported.
Nigeria has not had a monkeypox outbreak since September 2017, but sporadic cases are still being reported. The Agency for Disease Control said 22 of its 36 states have at least 247 confirmed cases, with a 3.6% fatality rate.
What is the monkeypox virus?
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that appears to be similar to human smallpox. It was discovered in 1958 in research monkeys, and the first human case of monkeypox was reported in 1970. The disease is primarily found in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa.
The virus is a member of the Poxviridae family, which also includes the viruses that cause smallpox and smallpox.
What are the signs and symptoms of monkeypox?
Monkeypox typically manifests as a fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes and can result in a number of medical complications. Symptoms are usually self-limiting and last two to four weeks. Serious incidents can also occur. In recent years, the case fatality ratio has been reported to be around 3-6%, but it could be as high as 10%. There have been no reported deaths in this outbreak.
How does the monkeypox virus spread?
Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or through contaminated material. Rodents such as rats, mice, and squirrels are said to spread it.
Monkeypox is transmitted through wounds, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminants such as bedding.
Some of these infections, according to health officials, can also be transmitted through sexual contact. The WHO said it was also investigating several cases of people identifying as gay or bisexual.
The virus, on the other hand, is said to be less contagious than smallpox and to cause less severe illness.
What is the treatment for monkeypox?
Vaccines used to eradicate smallpox also provided protection against monkeypox. New vaccines have been developed, one of which has already been approved for disease prevention. An antiviral agent developed to treat smallpox has been licensed to treat monkeypox, according to the WHO.
