As of 13 May 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by 30 Member States. In addition, 1536 suspected cases have been reported from 8 countries in the African region, of which 59 cases have been confirmed and 72 deaths have been reported.
While epidemiological investigations continue, most cases reported to date have presented through sexual health clinics or other health services in primary or secondary health care facilities with a history of travel to countries in Europe and North America rather than in endemic countries where the virus is known to be present.
The majority of confirmed cases (1056, 87%) have come from the WHO European Region. Confirmed cases have also been reported from the Americas region (141), the Eastern Mediterranean region (14) and the Western Pacific region (6).
Table 1.
Monkeypox cases in non-endemic countries according to a WHO report between 13 May and 8 June 2022.
| Country | Confirmed cases | |
| [TD] United Kingdom | 336 | |
| Spain | 198 | |
| Portugal | 191 | |
| Germany | 113 | |
| Canada | 101 | |
| France | 66 | |
| [TD] Netherlands | 54 | |
| United States of America | [TD] 37 | |
| Belgium | 24 | |
| Italy | 22 | |
| United Arab Emirates | 13 | |
| Switzerland | 12 | |
| Ireland | 7 | |
| Czech Republic | 6 | 6 |
| Slovenia | 6 | |
| Australia | 6 | |
| Sweden | 5 | |
| Denmark | 3 | |
| [TD] Finland | 3 | |
| Argentina | 2 | |
| [TD] Israel | 2 | |
| Latvia | 2 | |
| Norway | 2 | |
| Mexico | 1 | |
| Morocco | [TD] 1 | |
| Austria | 1 | |
| Georgia | 1 | 1 |
| Hungary | 1 | |
| Malta | 1 | |
| Total | 1217 |
As the situation evolves, WHO expects that there will be more cases of monkeypox as surveillance expands to all regions and countries.
Risk assessment:
At present, the probability of spreading monkeypox to individuals with multiple sexual partners in the EU/EEA is considered high[/U].[/U]
Although most cases in current outbreaks have occurred with mild symptoms of disease, monkeypox virus can cause severe disease in certain population groups (young children, pregnant women, immunosuppressed individuals). However, the probability of cases with severe morbidity cannot yet be accurately estimated.
In our country no case of monkeypox has been confirmed and the risk is assessed as moderate for people who have multiple sexual partners and low for the general population.
Guidelines for self-protection:
- avoid sexual contact with someone with a localized rash and limit the number of sexual partners,
- avoid close contact with someone who has symptoms consistent with possible monkeypox infection,
- frequent hand washing with water and soap or alcohol-based gel,
- maintenance of respiratory protection measures (mask and distance).
Ways to recognize symptoms and manage
If a person develops symptoms such as:
- rash with blisters on the face, hands, feet, eyes, mouth and/or genital and periorbital areas,
- fever,
- swollen lymph nodes,
- headaches,
- muscle aches,
- fatigue,
AND
meet the definition of a probable case and epidemiological criteria such as:
- a positive result on an Orthopoxvirus virus detection test
- an epidemiological link to a confirmed or probable case of monkeypox in the 21 days prior to the onset of symptoms,
- a reported history of travel to countries endemic for monkeypox in the 21 days prior to the onset of symptoms,
- a person (of any sexual orientation) who has had multiple or unknown sexual partners in the 21 days prior to the onset of symptoms,
he should contact his/her personal physician or visit the nearest emergency department for evaluation.
If the case is deemed to be a suspected case of monkeypox, the patient will be referred for specialist investigations at the referral hospitals (Nicosia General Hospital for adults and Makarios Hospital for children).
Further management information can be found in the advanced press release issued on 30/5/2020:
Contact telephone numbers: 22605678, 22605456 (8:00-20:00)
Telephone number for Tracing enquiries:22421600 (8:00-20:00)
Email: cycomnet@cytanet.com.cy
(AF)
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