The WHO recorded 5,322 cases of monkeypox (laboratory confirmed) worldwide on Tuesday July 5, an increase of more than 50% compared to the previous assessment of June 22. At this stage, the disease has caused only one death, announced a spokeswoman for the organization. “WHO continues to ask countries to pay particular attention to cases of monkeypox, to try to limit contamination” declared Fadela Chaib during a press conference in Geneva (Switzerland).
>> Monkey pox: what we know about the symptoms observed in the first patients in Europe
A second meeting of the WHO emergency committee on the subject, after its first meeting on June 23, is not currently planned. The health agency had estimated last week that the current outbreak of monkeypox cases, although very worrying, was not a “a public health emergency of international concern”the organization’s highest level of alert.
The number of cases has increased sharply in recent days: this latest assessment, dated June 30, represents an increase of 55.9% compared to the previous count, which listed 3,413 cases eight days earlier. Europe remains by far the region most affected by the virus with 85% of cases, while 53 countries are now affected.
An unusual upsurge in monkeypox cases has been detected since May outside the countries of West and Central Africa where the virus normally circulates. While the majority of reported cases concern men who have sex with men, “other vulnerable groups are also at risk”said the spokeswoman. “There have been a few cases in children and in people who have compromised immune systems.”
Known in humans since 1970, monkeypox is considered to be much less dangerous and contagious than its cousin, smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980. Monkeypox, which manifests itself by flu-like symptoms and rashes, usually heals on its own after two or three weeks.