The risk in the world is relatively moderate except in Europe, where it is high. Rezza: In Italy 407 cases, the situation under constant monitoring
Monkeypox a ‘global health emergencythe highest alert level of the World Health Organization (WHO).
High risk in Europe
The declaration of global emergency was made by the WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: he specified that the relatively moderate risk worldwideexcept for in Europe where high. The issue was brought to the attention of a Committee of experts which did not reach a consensus on the need to activate the highest level of alert; the decision was therefore left to Ghebreyesus. a call to action, but not the first said Mike Ryan, head of emergencies at WHO. Since the beginning of May, when it appeared outside African countries where it is endemic, the disease has affected just under 17,000 people in 74 countries.
Rezza: constant monitoring
In Italy they have been registered so far 407 almost, with a tendency to stabilize. The situation is under constant monitoring, but it is not believed to cause particular alarmism, said the Director General of Prevention of the Ministry of Health, Gianni Rezza. The Ministry has prepared, together with the Regions and Autonomous Provinces, the procedures for reporting individual cases of smallpox. The first infection in Italy was recorded on May 20.
Ema: Extend Vaccine Use
On the prevention front, the European Medicines Agency’s (CHMP) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has recommended extend the indication of the Imvanex vaccine also for protection from monkeypox in adults. The vaccine, produced by the Danish company Bavarian Nordic, was approved in Europe in 2013 for human smallpox (eradicated in 1980). The CHMP recommendation is based on the similarity between the two viruses. In Italy 60% of the population is not vaccinated against smallpox (almost all under 50).
How it manifests itself
Finally, how to recognize the symptoms of monkeypox (Mpx). The former are usually fever, muscle pain, weakness, headache, enlarged lymph nodes. They appear 5-13 days after infection (maximum 21 days) and can last up to three weeks after exposure. Within 3 days of the onset of general symptoms, the rash begins at the site of the infection and tends to spread rapidly to other parts of the body. In the current outbreak they predominate genital lesions, but the palms of the hands and soles of the feet are also involved in cases of disseminated rash. Lesions, ranging from a few to hundreds, often first present as flat red spots that rise and evolve into blisters, pustules, and scabs, filling with pus. The oral and ocular mucous membranes may also be involved.
When transmissible
The disease generally causes mild disease that resolves spontaneously in 2-4 weeks, without specific treatment. Can to manifest itself severely in some population groups: young children, pregnant women and immunosuppressed people. transmissible from the moment signs and symptoms appear and throughout the course of the disease, that is, until all lesions have healed and the scabs have been replaced by a new layer of skin.
Oral and genital injuries
In an article published on the New England Journal of Medicinean international team of scientists led by Queen Mary University of London, described the most frequent and characteristic signs of the disease, including genital lesions and sores in the mouth or anus. This is the largest case series analyzed to date: 528 infections in 43 countries between 27 April and 24 June this year. Clinical symptoms are similar to those of sexually transmitted infectionsthe authors explain, and can easily lead to misdiagnosis.
Sexual intercourse
Today 98% of infections concern gay and bisexual men. Although sexual intercourse is the most likely route of transmission, researchers point out that the virus can be transmitted by any close contact, through large respiratory droplets and potentially through clothing and other surfaces. There is a global shortage of both vaccines and treatments for human monkeypox infection. Public health interventions targeting the high-risk group could help detect and slow the spread of the virus. Recognize the disease, trace contacts and advise people to isolate themselves they will be key components of the response strategy.
What to do if you get sick
The recommendations are to stay home if you have a fever and seek medical attention if blisters or other skin manifestations appear. As a prevention, it is important to avoid close contact with people with symptoms (fever, swollen lymph nodes, skin lesions and especially blisters or scabs). According to the latest circular of the Ministry of Health, contacts must be monitored daily for the onset of signs / symptoms referable to Mpx for 21 days. Signs / symptoms include headache, fever, chills, sore throat, malaise, asthenia (weakness), myalgia (muscle pain), back pain, rash and lymphadenopathy. Asymptomatic contacts should not donate blood, cells, tissues, organs, breast milk or sperm while they are under surveillance. They must also avoid dating immunosuppressed people, pregnant women and children under 12 years of age. In the United Kingdom, the Health Safety Agency has issued guidelines to contain the spread of the epidemic: infected people must isolate themselves at the first symptoms, refrain from sexual intercourse and close contacts until the lesions are completely healed and use condoms in case of sexual intercourse for at least 8 weeks after recovery.
Identified in 1958
Monkeypox is not new: it was identified in a Danish laboratory in 1958. The earliest known human version dates back to 1970 and hit a 9-year-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
July 23, 2022 (change July 23, 2022 | 21:32)
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