Rare Infectious Disease Spreading... WHO Confirms Over 80 Cases of Monkeypox in at Least 12 Countries

Monkeypox patients in Congo, Africa, 1996-1997
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seung-jin] The rare infectious disease "monkeypox" is spreading in Western countries such as Europe and the United States.

According to the British BBC on the 20th (local time), the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed more than 80 monkeypox cases in at least 12 countries.

In a statement on the same day, WHO explained, "It is a very unusual situation that monkeypox patients have appeared in places outside endemic regions," and added, "We are cooperating with affected countries to support victims and expand disease surveillance."

WHO also urged against stigmatization related to the disease, stating, "This can prevent patients from receiving treatment and lead to undetected epidemics, which can become a barrier to ending the outbreak."

Monkeypox mainly occurred in Central and West Africa, but in recent weeks, cases have been confirmed in nine European countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Sweden, as well as in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

World Health Organization (WHO). Photo by Asia Economy DB.

Hans Kluge, head of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, said in a statement the day before, "We are concerned that the spread of (monkeypox) infection may accelerate as we enter the summer season with large gatherings, festivals, and parties in the European region."

Monkeypox is a viral disease with a fatality rate ranging from 1 to 10% depending on the variant. It is generally transmitted through the respiratory tract, but transmission through sexual contact is also possible.

When infected with monkeypox, initial symptoms appear similar to smallpox, including fever, headache, muscle pain, lymphadenitis, and fatigue. Subsequently, blisters and scabs form on the skin. Recovery usually occurs within a few weeks, but severe cases can develop.

There is no specific vaccine, but since it is quite similar to the smallpox virus, the smallpox vaccine can provide 85% protection.