Monkeypox, a form of viral virus more frequent in west and central Africa, is on the rise in Europe and elsewhere, according to global health officials.
According to the World Health Organization, 92 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox have been recorded from 12 member states that are not endemic for the virus.
The UN agency said it expects to find more cases of monkeypox as it increases surveillance in areas where the disease isn’t generally prevalent, and that it would provide more guidelines and recommendations on how to stop monkeypox from spreading in the coming days.
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How Dangerous Is It?
A US public health official informed reporters that the threat to the general public is currently low.
Monkeypox is a virus that causes symptoms such as fever and pains, as well as a rough rash.
It’s comparable to smallpox, but it’s usually milder, especially the West African strain of the virus found in a US case, which has a fatality rate of around 1%. According to the authority, most people recover in two to four weeks.
The virus is not as easily spread as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which caused the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The current monkeypox outbreak, according to experts, is spreading through close, personal skin-to-skin contact with someone who has an active rash. Once illnesses are recognized, experts believe it will be easier to contain the spread.
Why Are Health Experts Concerned?
According to the WHO, the new outbreaks are uncommon because they are emerging in countries where the virus does not normally spread. Scientists are trying to figure out where the current cases came from and if the virus has mutated in any way.
More cases are likely to emerge as people gather for festivals, parties, and holidays throughout Europe and worldwide during the approaching summer months, according to WHO officials.
How Can People Protect Against Infection?
People should avoid close personal contact with someone who has a rash sickness or is otherwise ill, according to health officials. People who are suspected of having monkeypox should be isolated and monitored accordingly.
