The number of monkeypox cases increases, the world raises vigilance

“At the moment, we are not concerned about a global pandemic, however, we are concerned that without the necessary information to protect themselves, people will be at risk of contracting this disease through contact. “, said Rosamund Lewis, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) technical team leader on monkeypox.

Previously, in a related guide, WHO also emphasized that a large-scale vaccination campaign for monkeypox was not necessary and that the disease could still be prevented with rapid tracing and isolation measures. disease case.

However, despite the recommendations from WHO, many countries around the world are still applying strict control measures to prevent monkeypox from entering their countries. Belgium is the first country to require a 21-day quarantine for monkeypox cases, and Thailand to isolate and monitor the health of cases that have been in contact with the infection. Japan is also closely monitoring all arrivals into the country from areas at risk for monkeypox.

Besides, countries are also rushing to “stock up” vaccine against monkeypox. The European Union has decided to jointly buy vaccines and antiviral drugs against monkeypox, Britain has administered 1,000 doses of the vaccine to people in close contact with monkeypox cases and has another 3,500 ready in case of need. . In France, this country also announced earlier this week that it was vaccinating similar groups of people to prevent an outbreak of the disease. In the US, after detecting the first case, the country quickly purchased 13 million doses of Jynneos smallpox vaccine, which was approved to fight the virus in 2019.

In less than a month since Britain confirmed its first case on May 7, cases of monkeypox have skyrocketed globally, with at least more than 300 confirmed cases and dozens of cases. suspected in more than 20 countries, many of which are in European countries, where the disease is not endemic. Although there have been no deaths from monkeypox around the world, global health officials have expressed concern about the increase in cases in countries where the disease is rarely reported.

Scientists say that while monkeypox is less contagious or dangerous than Covid-19, there is a need for clearer guidance on how to isolate each case of monkeypox, as well as having more recommendations on how to protect those at risk, as well as improve testing and tracing.

Under pressure from other countries, the World Health Organization is currently considering whether this outbreak should be assessed as a “public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). )” or not./.