Published on : 31/05/2022 – 09:00
Since the announcement of the first cases of monkeypox (or monkey pox), outside the African continent, on May 3, 2022, today around twenty countries are concerned. As of May 25, 2022, 180 cases were confirmed (outside Africa), of which 90% in Europe. In France, the Haute Autorité de Santé has recommended vaccinating with Imvanex anti-smallpox serum the adult contacts of the five officially recorded cases. Two doses are required, spaced 28 days apart.
Smallpox immunity would protect against monkey poxa less lethal disease than the human variant, but not devoid of risks for immunocompromised people or children.
What is the relationship between the smallpox eradicated in 1980 and this zoonosis? Where is the control of the epidemic? What are the recommendations for infected people? What are the symptoms and modes of transmission of this disease? What is its evolution? Are there any risks of complications? What do we know about these possible mutations? Are there still plenty of stocks of smallpox serum?