WHO "Over 200 Confirmed Monkeypox Cases"... Urges Strengthened Vigilance

Experts: "In Many Cases, Virus Spreads Through Sexual Contact"
No Deaths Reported So Far

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an increase in confirmed monkeypox cases and urged countries worldwide to strengthen their vigilance.

On the 26th (local time), major foreign media including CNBC cited remarks made by Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO COVID-19 response technical lead, during a virtual briefing. She stated that over 200 cumulative confirmed cases have been reported in about 20 countries currently classified as non-endemic areas for monkeypox, with more than 100 suspected cases.

Team lead Van Kerkhove said, "More cases are expected to be detected going forward," and added, "We are asking countries to raise their surveillance levels." She also noted, "The recent spread can be contained."

Monkeypox has become endemic in Central and Western African countries such as Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria. Since the 7th, starting from the United Kingdom, it has spread to Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Australia, increasing the incidence rate which had been low for 40 years.

Although the fatality rate in non-endemic regions is around 1% and not very high, the number of confirmed cases is steadily increasing daily, prompting countries to strengthen their quarantine measures. The West African variant is leading the outbreak, and most patients are reported to recover within a few weeks. No deaths have been reported so far.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Union (EU) has confirmed 118 monkeypox cases. Spain and Portugal have the highest numbers with 51 and 37 cases respectively. The United Kingdom has confirmed 90 cases. The United States has reported 9 cases across 7 states, and Canada has confirmed 16 cases.

WHO and health experts generally believe that monkeypox, which spreads mainly through physical and skin contact, is unlikely to escalate into a pandemic like COVID-19. However, they recommend actively responding with existing preventive measures such as early identification and isolation of infected and close contacts, and vaccination to prevent further spread. Health authorities in Europe, the UK, and the US have reported that the majority of patients are gay or bisexual men, but they emphasize that the virus can be transmitted through physical contact to anyone regardless of sexual orientation. They also noted that in many cases, the virus spreads through sexual intercourse.

Monkeypox, which shows initial symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle pain upon infection, is known to have an 85% preventive effect with the smallpox vaccine.