WHO: The possibility that the monkeypox virus has spread silently

Speaking to the press, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the organization is currently conducting an epidemiological investigation. However, the occurrence of disease monkey pox in many countries at the same time suggests that the disease may have been spreading for some time without being detected.

According to WHO statistics, since the UK recorded its first case of monkeypox on May 7, there have been more than 550 cases of infection in 30 countries outside West and Central Africa.

WHO recommends that anyone can get monkeypox if they come into close contact with the case. Therefore, everyone needs to oppose stigma because this can prevent people with the disease from seeking medical help, making prevention monkey smallpox virus spread becomes more difficult. In addition, Mr. Tedros also urged countries to strengthen prevention and supervision.

Monkeypox produces fluid-filled pustules, which can spread until the scabs fall off. (Photo: CNN)

Meanwhile, Dr. Rosamund Lewis, expert in charge of smallpox diseases in the WHO’s Emergencies Program, said that the emergence of many cases of monkeypox in many European countries and countries where the disease has never been recorded. The previous monkeypox was clearly a cause for concern. And this shows that the disease has been spreading silently for a while. It is not known at this time whether this is a few weeks, a few months or possibly a few years. Health officials have also not been able to confirm whether it is too late to control the spread of this disease.

Ms. Lewis also emphasized the importance of working together to prevent the spread through contact tracing, isolating those who are sick.

Vaccines developed to stop the spread of smallpox are said to be about 85 percent effective at preventing monkeypox, but there is a shortage in vaccine supply. WHO does not recommend mass vaccination, instead vaccinating healthcare workers and those most at risk of infection.

The number of cases of monkeypox in countries where the disease is endemic, with thousands of people infected each year, is also increasing. Since the beginning of the year, about 70 deaths from monkeypox have been recorded in five African countries.

In fact, the number of deaths from monkeypox is quite low and no deaths have been recorded in the current outbreak outside of Central and West Africa. However, WHO officials still say that countries need to be vigilant because this could change if the virus attacks vulnerable people.

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