92 Cases of Monkeypox in 12 Countries–What You Need to Know

An outbreak of monkeypox has caused much concern in the healthcare industry, and rightfully so, with dozens of confirmed cases emerging by the day.

The UK reported the first case of the monkeypox on May 7th, 2022. According to the UK Health Security Agency, the patient recently visited Nigeria and contracted the disease before traveling to England.

The World Health Organization has confirmed about 92 cases of monkeypox with outbreaks in 12 countries that are not endemic to the monkeypox virus. Those countries include Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and The United States of America.

‘‘There will be more cases likely to be reported as surveillance expands in the countries where we rarely find the disease. And ‌information suggests that human-to-human transmission occurs among people in close physical contact with infected people who are symptomatic’’. The World Health Organization reported.

‘‘Epidemiological investigations are ongoing. However, reported cases ‌have no established travel links to endemic areas (Africa). Based on currently available information, cases have mainly occurred amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) seeking care in primary care and sexual health clinics’’. The global health body added.

All cases are laboratory confirmed for monkeypox virus by unique sequences of viral DNA either by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or sequencing.

WHO reports there have been no deaths from monkeypox.

Brief about MonkeyPox

Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It affects humans and nonhuman primates, such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees. The infection occurs in Africa but has been reported in European countries recently. Monkeypox causes blistering skin rashes that can turn into scabs. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, and swollen lymph nodes. In rare cases, it can cause death. There is no specific treatment for monkeypox other than supportive care. People with mild illnesses can recover at home. People with severe ailments may need hospitalization. Prevention includes routine vaccination against smallpox, which provides some protection against monkeypox.

Related: Monkeypox Outbreak: what employers need to know and how to handle it

Why are cases of monkeypox rising now?

The short answer is that no one knows for sure. Over time, monkeypox cases have appeared, usually in Africa. And these recent cases reported in countries that are not endemic might relate to travel.

Further public health investigations are ongoing in non-endemic countries that have identified cases, including extensive case finding and contact tracing, laboratory investigation, clinical management, and isolation provided with supportive care.

Could this monkeypox outbreak become another pandemic?

Monkeypox is nothing like Covid-19 because it is far less transmissible, unlike the Coronavirus. And like all previous monkeypox outbreaks, contact tracing can contain it. Monkeypox is not new, and some vaccines are 85% effective against monkeypox and readily available to ensure the virus doesn’t continue spreading. Unlike the novel Covid-19 virus that spreads fast, this monkeypox outbreak is not comparable.