Monkeypox: WHO calls for an “urgent” response from Europe due to the increase in cases

This Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for actionurgent” to contain the spread of the monkey pox in Europewhere cases tripled in the last two weeks.

LOOK: WHO confirms that cases of monkeypox increase to 3,413 in the world, with Europe as the epicenter

“Urgent and coordinated action is imperative” in the coming months to prevent the disease from spreading “in larger geographical areas”, warned in a statement the regional director for Europe of the WHO, Hans Henri Kluge.

According to the latest data from the UN agency, Europe accounts for some 4,500 cases of monkeypox in this outbreak, three times as many as in mid-June.

LOOK: Monkeypox: What is it and what is its origin?

That number corresponds to 90% of those registered worldwide since mid-May, when the disease, until then considered endemic only in about ten African countries, began to be reported in Europe.

So far, 31 European countries have registered cases.

LOOK: Monkeypox: how to prevent the transmission of this disease?

Monkeypox, or simian orthopoxviruswas identified in humans in 1970 and is considered less dangerous than smallpox, from the same family, eradicated in 1980.

It is a rare disease, caused by a virus transmitted by infected animals.

Source: Elcomercio

Ronald Payne

I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.