Photo by Reuters
The main symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, fever and exhaustion
Outbreaks of monkeypox, a disease that is not fatal but unpleasant, have been reported in Europe and some other countries.
More than 80 cases have been confirmed in at least 12 countries. These include the United States, Canada, Australia, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
The World Health Organization has announced an investigation into 50 other possible cases and warned that there are likely to be more.
Smallpox is most common in remote areas of Central and West Africa. Outside of this region, its causative agent most often comes with people and animals who have visited there.
According to the British Health Service, this is a rare viral infection; the disease is usually relatively mild, and most patients recover within a few weeks.
The virus is not so easily transmitted from person to person, and the risk of mass infection is very low.
There is no specific cure for monkeypox, but outbreaks can be controlled with prevention.
Studies show that the Imvanex smallpox vaccine is approximately 85% effective against monkeypox, as the two viruses are very similar.
Public health agencies in Europe have so far confirmed cases in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden.
According to the WHO, these outbreaks are “atypical because they occur in non-endemic countries.”
They also said they were “working with victims and other countries to expand surveillance, find and support people who may be affected.”
The WHO also warns against stigmatizing people due to the disease.
“This could be an obstacle to stopping the outbreak, as it will prevent people from seeking medical help and lead to unnoticed proliferation,” the statement said.
Author of the photo, Science Photo Library
Monkeypox virus
WHO experts have warned that the incidence of monkeypox in Europe may increase in the summer. Because the spread of the virus can accelerate through mass festivals and parties.
The first case of the disease in Britain was registered on May 7. The National Health Safety Agency said the patient had recently traveled to Nigeria, where he is believed to have become infected.
So far, 20 cases have been confirmed in Britain, Health Minister Sajid Javid said on Friday.
Photo by Getty Images
Monkeypox causes a rash that is usually very itchy; it goes through several stages before turning into a scab
The British government has said it is buying smallpox vaccines to help protect people from monkeypox.
According to the Spanish newspaper El País, the Spanish medical authorities have also purchased thousands of doses of smallpox vaccine to deal with the outbreak.
In Sweden and Italy, one case of infection was registered. Another unconfirmed case has been reported in France.
The source of the infection in Sweden has not yet been identified; according to Italian media, a sick local recently returned from a trip to the Canary Islands.
The health authorities of the US state of Massachusetts have reported a single case of smallpox infection in monkeys. According to them, the man is hospitalized, is in good condition and does not pose a danger to the population.
He recently visited Canada, where authorities reportedly are investigating 13 possible cases of the virus.
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