An appeal for intervention comes from the World Health Organization (WHO) in light of a tripling of monkeypox infections in Europe within two weeks – and is directed at European countries.
Countries in the region must step up efforts in the coming weeks and months to prevent monkeypox from “taking hold in a wider geographic area,” WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge urged Friday.
More than 4,500 monkeypox cases were reported in Europe
More than 4,500 cases of monkeypox have now been reported from Europe, according to the report, accounting for 90 percent of all patients registered worldwide since mid-May. Monkeypox is a less dangerous relative of smallpox, which has been eradicated for about 40 years and usually occurs in West and Central Africa. But since May, monkeypox has spread to other countries, especially in Western Europe. So far this year, a total of more than 3,200 cases of monkeypox have been reported in more than 50 countries, according to WHO.
Typical symptoms of the disease include high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and chickenpox-like pustules. The condition is transmitted through close body and skin contact.
- source: vienna.at/picture: pixabay.com
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