WHO confirms more than 5,000 cases of monkeypox worldwide

The World Health Organization (WHO) recorded 5,322 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkey pox worldwide, an increase of more than 50% compared to the previous balance of June 22, and a single death, a spokeswoman for the organization announced Tuesday.

“The WHO continues to call on countries to pay special attention to cases of monkey poxto try to limit contamination”, declared Fadela Chaib at a press conference in Geneva.

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For now a second meeting of the WHO emergency committee on the subject is not plannedafter their first meeting on June 23.

The health agency had estimated last week that the current outbreak of monkey poxalthough very worrying, did not constitute “a public health emergency of international scope”, the highest level of alert of the organization.

The number of cases has risen sharply in recent days. This latest balance, dated June 30, represents an increase of 55.9% compared to the previous count that, eight days earlier, registered only 3,413 cases.

Europe remains the region most affected by the virus, with 85% of cases, while 53 countries are affected.

Since May, an unusual increase in monkeypox cases has been detected outside West and Central African countries, where the virus routinely circulates.

Although most cases concern men who have sex with men, “other vulnerable groups are also at risk,” the spokeswoman said.

“There have been some cases in children and in people who have a compromised immune system,” stressed.

Known in humans since 1970, this disease is considered much less dangerous and contagious than the smallpoxeradicated in 1980.

Manifesting with flu-like symptoms and rashes, monkeypox usually clears up on its own after two to three weeks.

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.