Will there be a new pandemic – monkeypox? Is the disease dangerous?, which is now spreading among the people?
About 80 confirmed cases of monkeypox worldwide, by 50 under investigation. This was announced by the World Health Organization. The disease has already been identified in more than ten countries, mostly in Western Europe. How dangerous is monkeypox and how are they planning to fight its spread?
The geography of human infection with monkeypox continues to expand. The list of countries with confirmed cases of the disease was replenished with Portugal and Israel. The main focus is in Western Europe. German experts say, that this is the largest outbreak of monkeypox on the continent. However, they clarify that there are no reasons for concern yet..
We do not expect a second pandemic. Infection is limited. Sure, more people get sick. We suppose, that so-called silent infections are happening in Europe now. But we hope, that we can contain them with a strategy of isolation and contact tracing, What We Have Learned During the Coronavirus Pandemic, - commented the chief infectious disease specialist of the clinic “Schwabing” Clemens Wendtner.
Monkeypox until recently met, usually, in the tropical forests of Central and West Africa. It mainly affects people in rural areas., who often come into contact with infected animals. According to WHO, the virus is transmitted to humans from rodents and primates, and it is limited to people.
FROM 2017 years in Nigeria 558 cases of monkeypox. Lethal cases - less than ten percent. In general, the disease proceeds in a mild form., but in one case out of ten it can be severe, with a chance of death, Ifedayo Adetifa, head of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control, said.
Cases, identified in European countries, the WHO regional office called atypical, since only one patient visited Africa. The organization also noted, that the majority of infections occur in men, who have had same-sex sexual intercourse. So, in Antwerp, Belgium, the spread of the disease is associated with the so-called fetish festival. Since then, three cases have been identified..
What is unusual, the virus affected several cities and even continents at once. What does it have to do with, not clear yet. Also unusual is, that most of the cases were not in Africa and did not come into contact with animals, brought from there, - said the representative of the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Daniel Bausch.
An employee of one of the laboratories drew attention to the fact, what is still unknown, who is patient zero. According to the specialist, as long as there is nothing to worry about, as the disease has a rather low transmission rate among humans.
In most infected people, the disease is mild.. The main symptoms: characteristic rash, fever, headaches and muscle pain. Risk of severe disease in children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people.
The World Health Organization notes: vaccination against smallpox 85 percent effective in case of monkeypox. So, in the UK are already vaccinating those, who had close contact with the sick. And the Spanish authorities plan to buy thousands of doses of the vaccine.
