WHO: Monkeypox has been spreading silently for some time

The UK recommends smallpox vaccination for those in contact with cases or suspected disease – Photo: REUTERS

On June 1, the WHO warned that monkeypox is likely to have been spreading for some time undetected, citing hundreds of cases in many countries outside Africa.

“Investigations are ongoing, but the emergence of monkeypox in many countries at the same time shows that the infection went undetected for some time,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general. know.

According to the WHO, since the UK reported its first case of monkeypox on May 7, more than 550 cases have been reported in 30 countries outside of West and Central Africa, where monkeypox is the most common. endemic disease.

Rosamund Lewis, the WHO’s monkeypox expert, said the emergence of cases across Europe and other countries where the disease had never been seen before “is clearly cause for concern, and shows the spread of the disease. undetected infection has been going on for some time.”

“We don’t know if that’s been happening for weeks, months or maybe years. We really don’t know if it’s too late to bring this under control,” Ms. Lewis said.

Monkeypox is spread by close contact. To date, most cases have been reported in men who have sex with men, although experts stress there is no evidence that monkeypox is sexually transmitted. AFP news.

“Anyone can get monkeypox if they come into close contact with an infected person,” Tedros said. WHO Director-General called on countries to strengthen monitoring of monkeypox situation.

The same day, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that monkeypox appears to have spread in the community in England, Reuters news agency reported.

“The current outbreak is the first time that the virus has been transmitted from person to person in England, where the unconfirmed cases have been linked to travel to a country where the disease is considered endemic.” UKHSA said.

According to the agency, the majority of cases (132 cases) are in London, of which 111 are gay, bisexual or men who have sex with another man. Only 2 cases are women.

How to prevent monkeypox?

TTO – Up to now, Vietnam has not recorded monkeypox cases, but as soon as information about the disease (from the World Health Organization – WHO), the health sector has implemented early response solutions.