TRIBUNNEWS.COM – The World Health Organization (WHO) says there have been 131 cases monkeypox or monkey pox confirmed cases and a further 106 suspected cases since the first case was reported on 7 May outside Africa.
Although the outbreak was unusual, it was still manageable and limited, said WHO.
WHO is holding further meetings to support member states with more suggestions on how to address the situation.
“We encourage all of you to increase surveillance monkey pox to see where the transmission rate is and understand where it’s going,” said Sylvie Briand, director WHO for Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness.
He said it was unclear whether the cases were the “tip of the iceberg” or whether the peak of transmission had passed.
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Speaking at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Briand repeated his views WHO that it is impossible for the virus to mutate.
But contagion may be driven by changes in human behavior, especially as people return to socializing after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted around the world.
Many, but not all, cases have been reported in men who have sex with men, and Briand says it’s important to try to prevent sexual transmission.
While Briand said the outbreak was “abnormal”, he stressed it was controllable.
There are also vaccines and treatments available for monkeypox, Briand was quoted as saying Channel News Asia.
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