New Delhi: The European Union’s disease agency that the number of monkeypox cases has reached 219 outside of countries where the virus usually circulates. The World Health Organisation has warned of more cases in coming days.
Monkeypox is endemic in 11 countries in West and Central Africa, and is a less serious disease than its cousin smallpox.
The virus was first detected in monkeys maintained for research in 1958. In 1970, the first human case of monkeypox was reported.
The World Health Organization has warned that the 200 cases of monkeypox discovered outside of endemic nations in recent weeks could be just the beginning. In a briefing to governments on the virus’s “unusual” spread, Sylvie Briand, WHO’s epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention chief, stated, “We know that we will have more cases in the next days.”
According to health officials, the majority of the infections were found in gay men.
The first incidence of monkeypox in the United Kingdom was recorded in early May. Since then, the virus has spread fast throughout the country, with 90 people infected.
So far, 98 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been documented in Spain.
In the meanwhile, 74 confirmed cases have been reported in Portugal, according to health officials, with all of the cases occurring in men under the age of 40.
Human monkeypox symptoms include fever, muscle aches, lesions, and chills.
The virus has a three to six percent fatality rate. Within three to four weeks, the majority of people are back to normal.There’s currently no specific treatment for monkeypox. Patients will usually need to stay in a specialist hospital so the infection doesn’t spread and general symptoms can be treated.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
