Lewis urged individuals and health professionals to be alive to the rising risks of the virus and keep an eye out for symptoms. A ‘window’ of opportunity for containment There have not yet been any recorded fatalities from the current outbreak. Though sporadic monkeypox outbreaks are not unusual in Central and West African countries where the virus is endemic, health experts have been puzzled by a recent surge in cases across Europe, North America and Australia, raising fears of community spread.Īs of Sunday, there were 435 confirmed and suspected cases in 24 countries outside of Africa, according to Our World in Data. Typically it is transmitted through lesions, bodily fluids or materials that have been in contact with an infected person or animal.
Monkeypox is a rare but generally mild viral infection that can cause flu-like symptoms including rashes, fever, headaches, muscle ache, swelling and backpain. “This monkeypox disease is not Covid-19, it is a different virus,” she added. “We don’t want people to panic or be afraid and think that it’s like Covid or maybe worse,” Sylvie Briand, the WHO’s director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, said during a briefing on the outbreak.