The World Health Organization (WHO) convened this Thursday an emergency meeting with experts and health ministers from different nations to address the recent outbreak of monkeypox, which so far has mainly affected Europe.
READ ALSO:
The world health entity detailed that so far more than 100 cases have been detected in at least eight countries on that continent, such as Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
To which are added infections in the United States and Canada, all countries in which this pathology is not common, since monkeypox has manifested itself mainly in tropical forest areas of Central and West Africa.
Typical symptoms of #monkeypox include:
�� rash with blisters – on face, hands, feet, eyes, mouth, genitals
�� fever
�� headaches
�� muscle aches
�� low energy
�� swollen lymph nodes
⁰��Talk to a health worker if you are concerned pic.twitter.com/K0HY9Gh2DD— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO)
May 20, 2022
–
–
Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, will lead the meeting, which will mainly address issues such as how this new virus outbreak spreads; its high level of contagion in homosexual and bisexual men; and also issues around vaccination.
However, the WHO spokesman, Tarik Jasarevic, explained that the disease can affect anyone and does not manifest itself in a particular group of people; “The virus can attack all people, it is a mistake to single out someone,” the official remarked.
The meeting will discuss whether the smallpox immunogen made by Bavarian Nordic, known as Jynneos in the US and Imvanex in the UK, could be used in contacts of people who have been infected.
This vaccine is only approved in the United Kingdom for protection against smallpox, but in a possible emergency it is estimated that it can be used “without a license” to protect against monkeypox.
In that sense, data provided by experts show that the vaccine reduces a person’s risk of disease by 85 percent, either for the non-replicating smallpox virus or monkeypox.
#Monkeypox has been reported in 11 countries, beyond the ones where it’s endemic. @WHO is working with experts to assess the situation, expand surveillance & provide guidance to countries. Surveillance, contact tracing, accurate information & support are key to stop the spread. https://t.co/h3CQhyfvxn
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros)
May 20, 2022
–
–
To which is added that if an individual is immunized within four days of infection, the vaccine can modify the course of the infection and improve its prognosis; as part of a condition whose symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
Regarding the form of contagion, health teams have been deployed throughout the world to isolate and locate infected people; and it is estimated that the virus can be spread by sexual contact similar to syphilis, because open wounds on and around the genitals are infectious; and skin-to-skin contact allows the spread of the virus.
International media revealed that the monkeypox virus caused 300 million deaths in the 20th century.
–
