WHO expert: Monkeypox is transmitted through sex
Reuters news agency quoted WHO epidemiologist David Heymann as saying that monkeypox is being transmitted in the community through sexual contact. This increases the likelihood of the disease spreading around the world.
“Available information suggests that person-to-person transmission is occurring between close physical contacts of symptomatic cases,” the WHO said in a statement dated May 21.
Heymann said close contact is an important route of transmission. For example, parents caring for sick children as well as health care workers are at risk, which is why some countries have started vaccinating groups for monkeypox. with a vaccine against smallpox, a related virus.
Initial genomic sequencing of a small number of cases of monkeypox in Europe showed similarities to a strain of smallpox virus that had a limited spread in the UK, Israel and Singapore in 2018.
Epidemiologist Heymann said the virus has spread outside of countries where the disease is uncommon, but has not yet led to major outbreaks due to COVID-19 lockdowns, social distancing and travel restrictions. .
WHO hopes to identify more cases of monkeypox as it expands surveillance in countries where the disease is uncommon.
On May 21, Switzerland confirmed its first case of monkeypox in the city of Bern in the context of a rare infectious disease spreading across Europe.
The patient in the city of Bern contracted the virus that causes monkeypox due to “close contact” with foreigners. This person consulted a doctor when he had a fever and rash. The doctor said that the patient is being isolated at home and is in stable health.
In recent weeks, more than 100 confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox have been detected in the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, as well as in the US. , Canada and Australia, raising fears the virus is spreading rapidly.
Outbreaks of the monkeypox virus in countries where the virus is not common is highly unusual, scientists say, as it is a tropical disease endemic to Africa.
Mild symptoms, go away after 2-4 weeks
Symptoms of monkeypox are usually mild and not life-threatening. According to the WHO, symptoms typically include fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion and a chickenpox-like rash on the hands and face.
The virus can be transmitted by contact with skin lesions or droplets of an infected person, as well as through shared items such as bed linen and towels.
Thus, monkeypox can be prevented relatively easily through measures such as self-isolation and hygiene.
According to guidelines from WHO, people with monkeypox usually recover after 2-4 weeks.
In case of illness, scientists recommend that people with fever and chickenpox-like rash seek medical attention.
Health officials in several countries have warned cases could rise further in Europe as summer approaches.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: tuoitre.vn – Read the original article here
