Monkeypox Warning from WHO!

The World Health Organization (WHO) made a warning about the monkeypox virus that has started to spread in Europe. The organization announced that the virus “can spread quickly.”

Monkeypox warning from WHO. A statement came from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the monkeypox virus, which has started to be seen in many countries in Europe.

“I am concerned that the rate of transmission may increase in Europe,” said WHO Europe Director Hans Kluge. Pointing out that the events held in the summer can increase the transmission, Kluge said that the rate of spread of this rare disease is “not typical”. Regarding the cases seen so far, Kluge said, “Until the last case, in no case did the travel story extend to regions where monkeypox is endemic.”

Monkeypox virus, which is seen in Central and West African countries, was detected in many European countries and the USA at the beginning of May. Following the first cases in the UK, cases were also seen in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sweden and the USA. According to the WHO’s statement, bisexual and gay men predominate among those infected with the virus so far.

It is claimed that the events organized as part of the Pride Parade held on the island of Gran Canaria in Spain, where 30 cases have been seen so far, are effective in the spread of the disease. In the news of El Pais newspaper, which is based on its sources in the health sector, it was stated that people carrying the virus participated in the organization, which took place between 5-15 May, in which approximately 80 thousand people participated.

In Belgium, where three cases were confirmed, it was announced that the cases were linked to the fetish festival held in Antwerp (Antwerp) two weeks ago. The organizers of the festival stated that there was a “legitimate assumption” that the virus spread through participants from abroad and asked the government to inform the festival participants.

Sweden has classified the disease as “dangerous to the general public” after the first confirmed case.

On Friday, the first monkeypox in Germany was seen in a 26-year-old person who entered the country via Portugal and Spain. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach had said that the spread of the disease was limited.

The World Health Organization announced yesterday that there are 80 confirmed cases of monkeypox worldwide, and 50 cases are under investigation.

WHO stated that they are investigating the cause and scope of the monkeypox epidemic and for now, there are 80 confirmed cases in 11 countries. Stating that 50 cases were examined, WHO warned that more cases could be seen depending on the increase in inspection. “The virus is endemic (region-specific infectious disease) in certain animal populations in some countries, causing occasional outbreaks among local residents and travelers.”

Stating that monkeypox spreads differently from Covid-19, close contact with monkeypox has an important role in the spread. Pointing out that the sexual orientation of individuals is reflected in the case description of the official health institutions of some countries, WHO said, “The stigmatization of groups of people due to a disease is never acceptable. It could prevent an epidemic from ending as it can prevent people from seeking treatment and lead to undetected spread.”

How is monkeypox transmitted?

Person-to-person transmission requires close contact with people infected with monkeypox. It is stated that the virus is transmitted through body fluids or contact with contaminated objects or the scabs of an infected person.

Monkey pox infection, which presents with symptoms such as fever, rash, and muscle aches, causes blisters that burst after a while and then crust over, rarely forming permanent scars. The disease loses its effect after about three to four weeks.