Monkeypox-related deaths have been reported outside Africa, and the World Health Organization (WHO) last week declared monkeypox a global public health emergency. More deaths from monkeypox are expected, the WHO’s European office said today, but stressed that most monkeypox cases resolve on their own without requiring treatment and serious complications remain rare.
According to the WHO, more than 18,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported globally since the outbreak of monkeypox in May, the vast majority in Europe. “The spread of monkeypox in Europe continues, and we expect more deaths,” Catherine Smallwood, the WHO’s senior emergency officer for Europe, said in a statement. She said the goal was to be quick Stop the spread of the virus in Europe and stop the epidemic.
“The reports of monkeypox-related deaths do not affect our assessment of the outbreak in Europe,” Smallwood said. “We know that although most cases are self-limiting, monkeypox can have serious complications.”
Brazil and Spain reported their first monkeypox-related deaths yesterday, and the Spanish Ministry of Health reported a second related death today. The cases are believed to be the first monkeypox-related deaths outside of Africa. Spanish authorities are still awaiting the results of a post-mortem and have not provided an exact cause of death. Brazil said the dead man suffered from other serious illnesses.
