Monkeypox becoming established in non-endemic countries is worrisome, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday.
World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday said the UN health agency was not recommending mass vaccination against the virus, and added that no deaths had been reported so far from the outbreaks.
“The risk of Monkeypox becoming established in non-endemic countries is real. More than 1,000 confirmed cases of Monkeypox have now been reported to WHO from 29 countries that are not endemic to the disease. So far, no deaths have been reported in these countries. Cases have been reported mainly, but not only, among men who have sex with men. Some countries are now beginning to report cases of apparent community transmission, including some cases in women.” Tedros told a press conference.
The initial symptoms of Monkeypox include a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a blistery chickenpox-like rash.
The WHO Chief Tedros said he was particularly concerned about the virus’s risk to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and children. The sudden and unexpected appearance of Monkeypox outside endemic countries suggested that there might have been undetected transmission for some time, but it was not known for how long.
Sharing his concerns, he said that the virus had been circulating and killing in Africa for decades, with more than 1,400 suspected cases and 66 deaths so far this year. He also added that the communities with the threat of this virus needed some concern and access to care and tools to protect themselves.
Post-exposure vaccination, ideally within four days, could be considered for higher-risk close contacts, such as sexual partners or household members. WHO will issue guidance in the coming days on clinical care, infection prevention and control, vaccination, and community protection. People with symptoms should isolate themselves at home and consult a health worker, while people in the same household should avoid close contact, said Tedros.
The WHO’s epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director Sylvie Briand said that the smallpox vaccine could be used against Monkeypox, a fellow Orthopoxvirus, with a high degree of efficacy. Few hospitals have been reported to keep the patients isolated for safety.
