There is a Real Risk of Monkeypox Becoming ‘Established’ Outside of Africa, WHO Says –

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that monkeypox is at risk of being “stable” in countries where it is not commonly found.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhano Gebreiusus said most monkey cases occur in men who have had sex with other men. Some countries are also launching messages to the public about possible transmission of the virus, which can spread through the air and spread through close contact.

More than 1,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in countries where the condition is not endemic, about double the number last week. It has been suggested that monkeypox has spread unnoticed in non -endemic countries for some time, and the WHO said the actual number of cases is likely to exceed the proven rate.

However, health officials say the risk of contracting the virus – which most people will recover from within weeks – remains low.

“The danger of monkeys living in non -endemic countries is real,” Tedros said. “There are effective ways to protect yourself and others. Individuals with symptoms should isolate themselves at home and see a health care practitioner. Anyone engaging in a family relationship with an infected person should avoid close contact. “

In the UK, where the highest number of confirmed cases has been reported outside the UK Nine countries in Africa Where monkeypox is endemic, ask health representatives. Recommended for all infected Use a condom with the virus for eight weeks after infection and refrain from sexual intercourse during symptoms. . These are preventative measures because it is not yet known whether monkeys can be passed through sperm or vaginal fluid.

In the U.S., 40 cases were reported Wednesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s double the 18 cases reported last week.

Because of the increase in cases, the CDC raised the travel warning for the virus to level two on Monday, recommending “enhanced precautions,” including avoiding close contact with people and animals with skin lesions.

The risk to the general public is low, the CDC says, but anyone suffering from an “unrecognized rash” should seek medical attention.

The CDC last week briefly advised travelers to wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus. However, he soon removed the recommendation from his website, citing “confusion”. This was reported by the New York Times, based on the agency.

Tedros said no one has died from the monkey virus in non-endemic countries. In African countries where the virus is endemic, the situation is more serious: more than 1,400 suspected cases have been reported this year and 66 have died, Tedros said.

“This virus has been circulating and killing Africa for decades.” It is a sad reflection of the world we live in that only now has the international community turned its attention to the monkey flower since it appeared in high-income countries, ”he said.“ Societies living every day under the threat of this virus deserve the same protection, the same protection and the same access to tools to protect themselves.