WHO confirms 92 monkeypox cases across 12 nations

GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday said that 92 confirmed monkeypox cases and 28 suspected cases have been reported in 12 countries.

The 12 countries - the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden -are not endemic for the monkeypox virus, meaning the virus is not typically found unlike some countries in Central and West Africa.

The WHO said, “As of 21 May, 92 laboratory confirmed cases, and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox with investigations ongoing, have been reported to WHO from 12 Member States that are not endemic for monkeypox virus, across three WHO regions. No associated deaths have been reported to date.”

It further said that there will be more cases of monkeypox identified as surveillance expands in non-endemic countries. Citing current evidence, the health body suggested that those who are most at risk are those who have had close physical contact with someone with monkeypox, while they are symptomatic.

It pointed out that the reported cases have so far established no travel links to an endemic area.

Genome sequence from a swab sample from a confirmed case in Portugal indicated a close match of the monkeypox virus causing the current outbreak, to exported cases from Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Israel and Singapore in 2018 and 2019,” the health body added.

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease, which is usually transmitted to people from wild animals but also can be transmitted from human to human as well. The disease fatality rate ranges from 1 per cent to 10 per cent..

WHO said there will be more cases of monkeypox identified as surveillance expands in nonendemic countries