?? expert of the World Health Organization in monkeypox assured on Monday that is not expected that the hundreds of cases of the disease recorded in humans to date become another pandemic, but he acknowledged that there are still many unknowns about this disease, including how it is being treated. Exactly what is spreading and whether the suspension of mass vaccination against smallpox decades ago may be somehow accelerating its transmission.
In a public session, Dr. Rosamund Lewis reported It is essential to highlight that the vast majority of cases that are being observed in dozens of countries around the world correspond to homosexuals, bisexuals or men who have sexual relations with other men, so that scientists so they can continue to study the issue and for populations at risk to take precautions.
“It is very important to describe this because it appears to be an increase in a mode of transmission that may have been previously underestimated,” he said. Lewis, WHO technical officer on monkeypox.
“At the moment, we are not worried about a pandemic,” he said. “We are concerned that individuals may acquire this infection through high-risk exposure if they do not have the information they need to protect themselves.”
However, he warned that any person is at potential risk of contracting the disease, regardless of their sexual orientation. Other experts have pointed out that it may be accidental that the disease was first detected in gay and bisexual men, and say it could quickly spread to other groups if left unchecked.
Last week, the WHO said that 23 countries that had not previously had monkeypox have reported more than 250 cases. On Monday, the UK announced another 71 cases of monkeypox.
Lewis said it is unknown if monkeypox is spreading. transmitting sexually or only by close contact between people who have a sexual relationship, and described the threat to the general population as “low”.
Monkeypox, or monkeypox, is known to spread when there is close physical contact with an infected person or their clothing or bedding. that among the current cases there is a higher proportion of people with lesions that are more concentrated in the genital region and that are sometimes almost impossible to see.
“You can have these lesions for two to four weeks (and) they may not be visible to others, but you can still be infectious,” he reported.
Last week, a top adviser to the WHO said the outbreak in Europe, the United States, Israel, Australia and other countries was likely linked to sex at two recent parties in Spain and Belgium. This marks a significant change from the typical pattern of spread of the disease in West and Central Africa, where people are mainly infected through animals such as wild rodents and primates.
Scientists have not yet determined whether the monkeypox outbreak in rich countries can be traced to Africa, but the disease continues to make people sick on the continent.
On Monday, authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed that nine people have died of monkeypox in 2022. n indicated 465 cases have been confirmed, making it one of the worst affected nations in West and Central Africa.
Nigerian authorities confirmed its first death from monkeypox this year. or, in addition to six other cases. The WHO states that thousands of cases are reported each year in Nigeria and the Congo.
Most patients with monkeypox experience only fever, body aches, chills, and fatigue. People with more severe illness may develop rashes and lesions on the face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body.
No deaths have been reported in the current outbreak outside of Africa .
Dr. Lewis of the WHO also pointed out that Although past cases of monkeypox in West and Central Africa have been relatively contained, it is not known with certainty whether people can transmit monkeypox without symptoms or whether the disease can be transmitted by It becomes airborne, such as with measles or COVID-19.
Monkeypox is widely spread. It is related to smallpox, but its symptoms are milder.
In 1980, when smallpox broke out. After it was eradicated, countries suspended their mass vaccination programs, a move some experts say may be contributing to the spread of monkeypox, as there is now little widespread immunity to the species. related diseases. Smallpox vaccines also protect against monkeypox.
Lewis added. that it is not known exactly what How much immunity can people who were previously vaccinated against smallpox still have, at least more than four decades ago. assured The WHO’s priority is to stop the current spread of monkeypox before the disease takes hold in new regions.
“If we all react quickly and work together, we will be We will be able to stop this & rdquo ;, he predicted. “We will be able to stop it before it reaches more vulnerable people and before it becomes established as a substitute for smallpox.”