Since the first case of monkeypox was discovered in the UK in early May, more than 200 infections have now been identified worldwide in countries outside Africa. “That may just be the tip of the iceberg,” warns the World Health Organization (WHO).
With the right measures, the ‘unusual spread’ of monkey pox can easily be limited. WHO chief Sylvie Briand, responsible for preparedness and prevention for epidemics and pandemics, said this at a briefing about the virus on Friday. She encourages countries to exchange data on vaccine stocks and the spread of the disease.
“We don’t know if we’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg and if there are many more cases that go undetected in different communities,” she admitted. She suspects the numbers will continue to rise in the coming days. At the same time, she emphasizes that there are major differences with covid-19. The virus is less contagious and there is already a vaccine against it. At the beginning of the corona pandemic, the vaccines still had to be developed. The smallpox vaccine is up to 85 percent effective against monkeypox. Belgium has subscribed for the purchase of 1,250 pricks. This means that 625 patients at risk can be helped.
Monkeypox is related to smallpox, a deadly disease that was eradicated in 1980. However, the ‘monkey pox’ is much less serious, with a death rate of 1 to 6 percent in African areas where care is considerably less developed. Most people recover on their own within three to four weeks. In terms of treatment, there is not much that can be done, although antiviral drugs have been developed against smallpox.
Distribution in Europe
Since the UK first reported a confirmed case of monkey pox on May 7, at least 243 infections have been identified in countries outside Africa – the region where the virus is endemic. In the United Kingdom there are now 90. On the European mainland, Spain leads the list with 98 infections and Portugal with 74. The Portuguese Ministry of Health stated that it concerns only male carriers, mainly under the age of 40. Seven cases have been counted in France, followed by the Netherlands and Belgium with six confirmed cases. The twelfth case was reported in Italy on Saturday.
Outside of Europe, the virus has been detected in Australia, the US, Canada, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, among others. Argentina on Friday confirmed the first two cases of monkeypox in Latin America.
Doctors find it remarkable that the virus spreads so quickly outside the endemic areas. The original virus reservoir, the source, has not yet been found. Currently, the virus is mainly circulating among men who have sex with men. The WHO asks them to be extra vigilant. In Belgium, Sensoa was called in to inform this group. At the same time, the health authorities also warn against stigmatization of population groups. Anyone can get monkey pox, regardless of their sexual orientation.
According to Sylvie Briand, experts are still trying to find out what is causing this ‘unusual situation’. According to the initial assessment, it does not appear that the virus that causes monkeypox has changed or mutated. “We have a good chance of stopping the transfer,” Briand said. “If we take the right measures now, we can probably contain this easily.”