Transmission of monkeypox (also known as “monkeypox”) could “stop in non -endemic countries”, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official said Monday.
This is a situation that can be controlled, especially in countries where we see this epidemic taking place in Europe.said Maria Van Kerkhove, leader of the fight at COVID-19 atWHObut also emerging diseases and zoonoses.
Monkeypox, a less dangerous cousin of smallpox that has been eradicated for about 40 years, has suddenly appeared in recent weeks in countries where it is usually only very rare: Europe and North America.
According to Dr. Van Kerkhove, has at present less than 200 confirmed and suspected cases in these non-endemic countries.
” We are in a situation where we can use public health tools for early identification along with the separation of cases. “
He said there are no serious cases so far.
Rosamund Lewis, who manages the smallpox emergency program atWHOtaught that this is the first time we have seen cases in many countries at once and people [malades] who have not traveled to endemic regions of Africa.
Ms Lewis said it was not yet known if the virus had mutated, but had already pointed out these orthopoxviroses. probably fairly stable.
It is not a homosexual disease
A large global meeting with all experts from many branches will be held next week to discuss this epidemic.
Andy Seale, Global Programs Strategy AdvisorWHO sa HIVhepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, taught that while this virus can be contracted during sexual activity, it is not a sexually transmitted disease.
” Although we see cases of men having sex with men, it is not a gay disease, as some people have tried to label it on social media. “
Monkeypox first presents as a high fever and quickly progresses to a skin rash, with the formation of scabs, especially on the face. There is no treatment, but this virus infection heals itself.
At least a dozen countries in Europe, as well as Australia, Canada and the United States, countries where its presence is uncommon, have reported cases of monkeypox. Usually, it is present and considered endemic in 11 countries in Africa.
Source: Radio-Canada
