Oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left and circular immature virions, right, obtained from a human skin sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak.
Highlight
- Most monkeypox cases have been identified in gay or bisexual men.
- Globally, more than 30 countries have reported 1,880 infections in countries
- People exposed to the disease should stay at home and call health services for advice
British health officials on Friday reported another 50 cases of monkeypox across the country, bringing the total to 574. This makes the UK outbreak by far the largest beyond Africa.
Britain’s Health Protection Agency said in a statement that most cases Identified among gay or bisexual menBut be warned that anyone who is in close, physical contact with someone with monkeypox is usually at risk of contracting the rare disease.
“If you have a rash with blisters, or any other monkeypox symptoms, do not go to events, visit friends, or have sexual contact,” warns Dr. William Welfare of the UK’s Health Protection Agency. He said those who may have been exposed to the disease should stay at home and call health services for advice.
What does WHO think about monkeypox?
The World Health Organization has said that people with monkeypox can be contagious for up to four weeks and has advised them to self-isolate until fully recovered.
Globally, more than 30 countries have reported 1,880 infections in countries that do not usually report monkeypox, with Europe accounting for 85% of cases. No death has been reported.
Read also | WHO may declare monkeypox as a global health emergency
Until last month, monkeypox only caused widespread outbreaks in Central and West Africa; The continent has so far reported more than 1,500 cases and 72 suspected deaths in a separate pandemic.
earlier this week, of world health organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the continued spread of monkeypox in countries that had not previously viewed the disease as “unusual and concerning”.
He said he would convene an expert meeting next Thursday to decide whether the extended monkeypox outbreak warrants declaring a global emergency. This would give it the same designation as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing effort to eradicate polio.
Read also | WHO will share vaccines to prevent monkeypox amid fears of inequality
Read also | US CDC expects global monkeypox cases to exceed 700