WHO: Monkeypox is unlikely to become a pandemic
An official WHO said the organization did not believe the current outbreak of monkeypox outside Africa could turn into a pandemic.
More than 300 suspected and confirmed cases of monkeypox were reported outside Africa in May, mainly in Europe. Monkey pox to be a mild form of illness spread through close contact, can cause flu-like symptoms and skin breakouts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering whether this outbreak should be assessed as a “potential health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC). Such a statement, like with COVID-19 and Ebola, would spur research and funding for pandemic control.
When asked if the monkeypox outbreak could turn into a pandemic, Rosamund Lewis, technical director for monkeypox from the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, said “we don’t know but we don’t think so”.
“Right now, we’re not worried about a global pandemic,” she added.
Once infected with monkeypox, an infected person develops a rash, scabs on the skin – considered an infectious stage – but it is not known whether the disease is transmitted from people who do not show symptoms.
The virus that causes monkeypox is known to have a low fatality rate and there have been no reported cases this time.
Scientists are determining what could explain the unusually high numbers of monkeypox cases outside of Central and West Africa – where monkeypox is endemic – and unrelated to tourism. Health authorities believe that there is a certain level of infection in the community.
Some countries are starting to vaccinate close contacts of infected cases.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: laodong.vn – Read the original article here