Monkeypox spreads in Europe
70 cases of monkeypox infection in UK
▲ The monkey pox virus under a microscope
2022.5.23 AP Yonhap News
As of the 24th (local time), the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that there were 237 confirmed and suspected cases of monkey pox in 19 countries. Since then, the range of transmission continues to expand, with the first confirmed cases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Slovenia, and the Czech Republic.
The UK Health and Safety Agency (UKHSA) said that 14 additional cases were confirmed in England on the same day, bringing the total number of cases of monkey pox infection to 70. Cases have also been confirmed in France, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovenia.
The UK has been providing vaccines to medical staff and close contacts since last week, and the US is also scheduled to announce vaccine supply measures on the 30th. French and Danish health authorities have decided to recommend vaccination of adults and medical staff who have come into contact with a person infected with monkey pox.
German health authorities have recommended quarantine for at least 21 days for infected people and close contacts. It said that it had ordered 40,000 doses of monkeypox vaccine to prepare for further spread.
When infected with monkeypox, initial symptoms similar to smallpox appear, such as fever, headache, muscle pain, lymphadenitis, and fatigue. There is no specific vaccine, but the smallpox vaccine is known to provide 85% protection.
According to the German Center for Disease Control and Prevention (RKI), five confirmed cases of monkeypox infection were reported in Germany, all of which were male. It is explained that person-to-person transmission of the etiology is not easy if there is no close contact.
▲ A photo of monkey pox. Archyde.com Yonhap News
WHO: ‘It’s not something to be concerned regarding’
The WHO warns once morest hypersensitivity reactions to monkeypox, a virus that can be suppressed, which spreads rapidly in Europe and North America.
According to Archyde.com, Sylvie Briand, WHO’s director of global infection response, said on the 24th (local time) that “there is a need to strengthen vigilance to determine the level and route of transmission of monkeypox,” but “it can be contained for now.”
He continued, emphasizing that there is already a vaccine and treatment for monkey pox, and added, “Let’s not overreact.” The WHO is currently preparing new vaccine guidelines for monkey pox, and plans to convene additional meetings to support member states’ quarantine support.
Health experts believe that it is unlikely that this situation will spread into a pandemic (global pandemic) like Corona 19, given the characteristics, transmission power, and mode of transmission of the virus. However, as the number of cases of monkey pox worldwide continues to increase, it seems that each country is not letting go of tension.
Reporter Kim Yu-min