The World Health Organization (WHO) expects more cases of monkey smallpox to be detected as it expands surveillance to countries where the disease is not endemic.
As of yesterday, Saturday, 92 confirmed and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox were reported from 12 member states where the virus is not endemic, this UN agency clarified, adding that it will issue further instructions and recommendations in the coming days to contain its spread.
"Available information suggests that human-to-human transmission occurs when there is close contact with asymptomatic infected people," noted the WHO, which is concerned about an outbreak in the summer."
Monkeypox, an infectious disease that usually has mild symptoms, is endemic in parts of western and central Africa. It is spread through close contact, which means that it can be relatively easily contained by isolation and adherence to hygiene rules.
"What seems to be happening is that it has been transmitted in the population as a sexually transmitted disease, and is spreading, as is generally the case with sexually transmitted diseases () around the world," David Hayman, an infectious disease expert at the WHO, explained to Reuters news agency.
Heyman said an international panel of experts met via video conference to discuss what needs to be studied about the outbreak and what information people need to be informed about, including whether there is asymptomatic spread of the virus, who is at risk and what the modes of transmission are.
He added that the meeting was called because of the "urgent nature of the situation." This committee is not the one to recommend the declaration of an international health emergency, the highest level of WHO alert, as when the new coronavirus pandemic occurred.
Haman noted that close contact is the main route of transmission, as the skin rashes caused are highly infectious. Parents caring for sick children are especially at high risk, as are health workers, which explains why some countries vaccinate staff caring for patients with vaccines for smallpox, a related virus.
Several cases have been identified in sexual health clinics.
Initial genome sequencing based on samples from a few outbreaks in Europe showed that the virus strain has similarities to one that had spread in a more limited way in Britain, Israel and Singapore in 2018.
The expert said it was "plausible" that the virus was already circulating outside the countries where it is endemic but there were no outbreaks because of lockdowns, social distance and travel restrictions imposed because of the new coronavirus pandemic.
He insisted that the situation is not similar to that in the first period after the new coronavirus was identified because monkeypox does not spread so easily. Those who suspect they may have been exposed to the virus, or have symptoms such as fever or rashes, should avoid close contact with others, he stressed.
"There are vaccines available, but the most important message is that you can protect yourself," David Heyman concluded.
Seven questions about monkey pox
What is monkey pox?
Monkey pox is a rare viral infection that mainly occurs in tropical areas of West and Central Africa.
How can a person contract monkeypox?
Monkeypox can be transmitted through the respiratory system by inhalation of large droplets and through contact with skin lesions of the affected person or contaminated materials (e.g. bedding or towels used by a patient
Transmission is also recorded through contact with wild animals, usually primates and rodents such as rats, mice and squirrels or even with pets infected by the former.
It can rarely be transmitted by eating meat from an infected animal that has not been adequately cooked or by contact with the skin or hair of an infected animal.
What should I do to avoid getting sick?
Basic personal hygiene measures must be followed.
wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based antiseptic
eat meat only if it has been adequately cooked
do not approach wild animals, including dead animals
do not come into close contact or share clothing with people who are unwell and have skin lesions
What symptoms might a sick person have?
Once someone is infected with the monkeypox virus it takes 5 to 21 days for the first symptoms to appear (usually 6 to 13 days).
These can be:
Fever
Headache
Myalgia
Lumbago
Swollen lymph nodes (a hallmark of differential diagnosis from smallpox)
Shivering
Pain
Loss of strength
Rash (usually presents 1 to 3 days after the onset of fever). Often precedes the skin rash, appearance of lesions on mucous membranes, such as the mouth. The rash is initially localised on the head and face and then spreads to other parts of the body including the palms and feet. It initially appears as spots and papules which develop into small blisters, pustules and then into vesicles which eventually recede.) This rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox rash.
How dangerous is this disease?
In most patients the symptoms resolve in 2 to 4 weeks.
When to contact your doctor?
If you have a rash with blisters and:
you have returned from West or Central Africa in the last 3 weeks
you have been in contact with someone who has had monkeypox in the last 3 weeks
you have been in contact with someone who has had skin lesions in the last 3 weeks
What is the treatment for monkeypox?
Treatment of the disease is aimed at improving symptoms. Usually the course is mild and most patients recover in 2 to 4 weeks.
Often a hospital stay is needed to treat the symptoms and to prevent transmission of the disease.
First suspected case in Greece
At the same time, health authorities in Greece have also been put on alert following the detection of the first suspected case of smallpox.
It is an English tourist who, together with his companion, who is asymptomatic, will be hospitalized at the hospital "Attikon", in negative pressure rooms.
EODY received samples for confirmatory testing which were sent to the reference laboratory and the results will be available tomorrow Monday.
Source: iefimerida.gr / protothema.gr
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