WHO noted that there were more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox in the world.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, LONDON — The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) on 7 June recorded 18 monkey pox case in England and one case in Scotland, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 321. According to data released by UKHSA, more than half of the cases recorded in the UK are found in men identified as homosexual or bisexual.
Of the 190 cases recorded from May 6-31, 111 cases were men identified as homosexual or bisexual. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns there is a “real” risk that monkey pox develop in non-endemic countries. WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said, currently WHO received reports of more than 1,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox from 29 non-endemic countries.
Tedros added, transmission of monkeypox cases was initially reported between men who have sex with other men or homosexuals. However, now, several countries have reported community transmission of monkeypox and some cases have been experienced by women.
“The cases that have been reported do not only occur among men who have sex with men. Several countries are now starting to report cases of community transmission, including some cases in women,” Tedros said Anadolu AgencyFriday (10/6/2022).
Tedros said the spread of the disease to several non-endemic countries indicated that there had been undetected transmission for some time. Tedros said no deaths had been reported in the outbreak so far. He added that WHO did not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox.
“The risk of monkeypox developing in non-endemic countries is real,” said Tedros.
Tedros said the smallpox virus had been circulating in Africa for decades. This year Africa recorded more than 1,400 suspected cases and 66 deaths related to monkeypox.
“This is an unfortunate reflection that the international community is only now paying attention to monkeypox because it has emerged in high-income countries,” said Tedros.
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