The World Health Organization has issued a list of monkeypox cases as of Saturday, May 21, verifying an outbreak of the virus with 92 confirmed cases while 28 suspected cases in 12 countries where the disease is not typically found, said the global health agency.
More cases are expected to be reported in the coming days as surveillance broadens, said WHO adding that the outbreak seems unusual since it is occurring in those countries where the virus is not endemic.
“WHO is working with the affected countries and others to expand disease surveillance to find and support people who may be affected, and to provide guidance on how to manage the disease,” the agency said in a statement Friday.
Cases of monkeypox have been reported to WHO from 12 non-endemic Member States since 13 May 2022. No associated deaths have been reported to date.
According to the WHO, the German military reported that Europe has confirmed dozens of cases in the largest outbreak of monkeypox ever on the continent. The United States has confirmed at least one case while Canada has confirmed two.
Monkeypox is usually found in Central and West African rainforests where animals carry the virus live.
What is Monkeypox Virus?
As per the details shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox but is not as severe. However, the virus can cause death in as many as 1 in 10 people who come in direct contact with the disease based on observations in Africa, according to the CDC.
- Monkeypox is spread through close contact with people, animals, or material infected with the virus.
- It enters the body through the respiratory tract, broken skin, mouth, eyes, and nose.
- Human-to-human transmission is believed to occur through respiratory droplets as well, yet the method requires prolonged face-to-face contact because the droplets cannot travel more than a few feet, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of Monkeypox
According to the CDC, the following are the symptoms of monkeypox which are similar to flu as well;
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Swollen lymph nodes
Within one to three days of the onset of fever, patients develop a rash that begins on the face and spreads to other body parts. The illness usually lasts for about two to four weeks.
Monkepox Vaccination
Observational studies conducted in Africa showed that the smallpox vaccine is 85% effective at preventing monkeypox, according to the WHO and the CDC.