WHO assures that cases of monkeypox in the United Kingdom are of the less serious variant

The initial confirmed cases of monkey pox in the United Kingdom, the first country to alert the WHO of this disease before possible infections were detected in Spain, Portugal and the United States, are linked to the less serious West African variant, the World Health Organization said today ( WHO).

In a follow-up report on the situation in United Kingdomwhich does not echo the cases in other countries, the WHO explains that the variant of West Africa it has a lethality of 1%, while that of Central Africa rises to 10%.

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The Geneva-based organization warns that this disease, which is transmitted through droplets or direct contact with skin or contaminated objects, poses an added risk for children and pregnant women, that can transmit the disease to the fetus.

The WHO indicates that the conventional smallpox vaccine is quite effective against this disease, although since this disease was eradicated 40 years ago and the immunization campaigns against it ended shortly after, the younger generations do not have that protection.

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In his report, The agency recommends that anyone who becomes ill after returning from a monkeypox-endemic area notify medical services.

Travelers to risk areas and residents there should avoid contact with dead and sick animals, especially rodents (main vehicles of transmission of this disease), marsupials or primates, adds the WHOwhich also advises not to consume meat from game or wild animals in those areas.

The WHO opts for the moment not to recommend movement restrictions to the United Kingdomand remember the importance of hand hygiene to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases.

The first confirmed case in United Kingdom was admitted to a hospital on May 6, the disease was diagnosed on May 12, and three days later the WHO of the presence of several cases in the country.

Source: Elcomercio

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