Tedros called on governments to step up surveillance, contact tracing and to make sure people at high risk have access to vaccines and antivirals. Protection for those who were vaccinated may have waned over time. [1][9] People can spread the virus from the onset of symptoms until all the lesions have scabbed and fallen off; with some evidence of spread for more than a week after lesions have crusted. Person to person transmission is ongoing, still primarily occurring in one demographic and social group. The Princess Grace Hospital Centre later reported that the first case of the disease had been confirmed in the residential area of La Colle. Countries listed below had only suspected cases at the time of reporting. Public health officials should work with travel operators and public health counterparts in other locations to contact passengers and others who may have had close contact with an infectious person while travelling. Jezek Z., Fenner F.: Human Monkeypox. To date, the clinical presentation of monkeypox cases associated with this outbreak has been variable. While infection with monkeypox during pregnancy is not fully understood, limited data suggest that infection may lead to adverse outcomes for the foetus or newborn infant and for the mother. Information should reach those who need it most during upcoming small and large gatherings, particularly among social and sexual networks where there may be close, frequent or prolonged physical or sexual contact, particularly if this involves more than one partner. People are most infectious when they have the rash. [59] On 14 June, the WHO announced plans to rename the monkeypox virus in order to combat stigma and racism surrounding the disease. It was in an adult male, likely contracted from a trip to Spain, according to Reuters. Of cases reported (468 out 2103 confirmed cases) from 14 countries for which demographic information and personal characteristics are available, 99% are reported in men aged 0 to 65 years (Interquartile range: 32 to 43 years; median age 37 years), of which most self-identify as men who have sex with other men. And vaccines need to be distributed in equitable manner with a focus on those most at risk, he added. It is believed to be transmitted by close contact with sick people, with extra caution for those individuals with lesions on their skin or genitals, along with their bedding and clothing. Should monkeypox begin to spread more widely to and within more vulnerable groups, there is the potential for greater health impact as the risk of severe disease and mortality is recognized to be higher in immunocompromised individuals, including persons with poorly controlled HIV infection. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. "We know from our lessons in dealing with HIV how stigma further fuels outbreaks and epidemics, but allowing our fear of creating stigma to prevent us from acting may be just as damaging," Kluge said. CDC has also warned clinicians to not rule out monkeypox in patients with sexually transmitted infections since there have been reports of co-infections with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes. "There is simply no room for complacency especially right here in the European Region with its fast-moving outbreak that with every hour, day and week is extending its reach into previously unaffected areas," Kluge said. (As of 13July2022[update]). However, there remains a hypothetical risk of human-to-animal transmission; as such appropriate measures such as physical distancing of persons with monkeypox from domestic pets, proper waste management to prevent the disease from being transmitted from infected humans to susceptible animals at home (including pets), in zoos and wildlife reserves, and to peri-domestic animals, especially rodents. The virus can spread through respiratory droplets if an infected person has lesions in their throat or mouth. People with signs and symptoms consistent with monkeypox should refrain from close contact with any other individual and should avoid attending gatherings. It was in two men who most likely contracted the disease from a trip to Spain and the United Kingdom but don't reckon any contact with infected persons. COMPANY is now part of the GardaWorld family of companies, all services are now offered under the Crisis24 brand. [60] Another meeting convened on 23 June determined that the outbreak does not constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for the time being.[61]. Currently, the public health risk at the global level is assessed as moderate considering this is the first time that monkeypox cases and clusters are reported concurrently in many countries in widely disparate WHO geographical areas, balanced against the fact that mortality has remained low in the current outbreak. [28][29]It was unknown how it was contracted in both stories, but likely via travel or skin-to-skin contact abroad. Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. This is especially important for spontaneous or unplanned gatherings. However, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said monkeypox is an evolving health threat. Public health officials have reported additional monkeypox cases in European countries during July. We are now focusing primarily on confirmed and probable cases, including deaths among confirmed and probable cases. Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and some other animals. It was in a patient of undisclosed gender who likely contracted the disease from a trip to Europe. Some patients may also present with sexually transmitted infections and should be tested and treated appropriately. United Kingdom Health Security Agency. [44], On 10 June, Poland confirmed its first monkeypox case. WHO continues to support sharing of information. 14 June 2022. Geographic distribution of cases of monkeypox reported to or identified by WHO from official public sources, between 1 January and 15 June 2022, 5 PM CEST, (n=2103). Some monitors saw community transmission taking place in the London area as of mid-May,[18] but it has been suggested that cases were already spreading in Europe in the previous months. [8] Diagnosis can be confirmed by testing a lesion for the virus's DNA. This information should be shared with prospective attendees and all those involved in the event planning and delivery. Accredited specialists, we offer consulting and response plans to prevent ransomware & other cyber attacks. This vaccine has been approved for prevention of monkeypox in Canada and the United States of America. Human-to-human transmission occurs through close or direct physical contact (face-to-face, skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-skin) with infectious lesions or mucocutaneous ulcers including during sexual activity, respiratory droplets (and possibly short-range aerosols), or contact with contaminated materials (e.g., linens, bedding, electronics, clothing, sex toys). Gatherings and events where physical contact, including sex, may be involved may represent a conducive environment for the transmission of monkeypox virus if they entail close, prolonged or frequent interactions among people, which in turn could expose attendees to contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials. Most people recover in two to four weeks without specific medical treatment. Countries listed several times reported suspected cases again after they discarded suspected cases before. Nobody in Europe has died so far from the virus, he said. Figure 1: Confirmed cases of monkeypox by WHO region from January 2022 to 15 June 2022, data as of 15 June 2022 17:00 CEST. The risk to the broader population is considered low. Interim advice on Risk Communication and Community Engagement during the monkeypox outbreak in Europe, 2022 Joint report by WHO Regional office for Europe/ECDC, 2 June 2022. WHO Monkeypox outbreak: update and advice for health workers, 26 May 2022. WHO Monkeypox: public health advice for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, 25 May 2022. It was in a person of undisclosed gender who likely contracted the disease from a trip to Portugal. Open WHO. WHO has also implemented the Case Reporting Form (CRF) and CIF in the Go.Data platform to facilitate local capture, analysis, and/or sharing of the relevant data. Smallpox and monkeypox vaccines, where available, are being deployed in a few countries to manage close contacts. On 23 May, Denmark detected its first monkeypox infection. In the context of the current monkeypox outbreak, understanding these patterns of transmission will be critical not only in finding which control measures are effective, but will allow for the characterization of the extent of respiratory transmission and determining if multiple introductions (human or zoonotic) have occurred. In other cases, patients developed the rash without any flulike symptoms at all. In the context of the current outbreak, monkeypox-associated risks should be considered and factored in. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop within two weeks of being in affected areas, especially if you have had one or more new sexual partners. Public health authorities also need to get the word out among high risk communities and the wider public about what precautions to take when attending mass gatherings this summer, Kluge said. In previous updates, we included suspected cases and deaths in the African Region. [55], On 13 July, Bosnia and Herzegovina registered its first monkeypox case. Furthermore, such events can be used as opportunities to conduct outreach with public health information for specific population groups. Precautions (isolation) should remain in place until lesions have crusted, scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath. During this period, cases can get supportive treatment to ease monkeypox symptoms. Real-time PCR assays for the specific detection of monkeypox virus West African and Congo Basin strain DNA. Others may hold supplies of LC16 or other vaccines. measles-mumps-rubella, varicella zoster vaccine, to support making a diagnosis), and information on close contacts as per WHO interim guidance on surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing for monkeypox (please refer to the WHO Guidance and Public Health Recommendations section below). WHO Vaccines and immunization for monkeypox: Interim guidance, 14 June 2022. The CDC has also stated that individuals should avoid contact and consumption of dead animals such as rats, squirrels, monkeys and apes along with wild game or lotions derived from animals in Africa. Although monkeypox and COVID-19 spread between people differently, some of the COVID-19 measures applied during social gatherings such as keeping a physical distance and practicing regular handwashing are also effective against the transmission of monkeypox virus; as such, they should be continued; skin-to-skin and face-to-face contact should be discouraged. Kluge said public health authorities in Europe must quickly ramp up surveillance for monkeypox and their capacity to diagnose the disease and sequence samples. The case count is fluctuating as more information becomes available and data are verified under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). There are two known clades of monkeypox virus, one first identified in West Africa (WA) and one in the Congo Basin (CB) region. The variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, is also in this genus. It was revealed that it was an "imported case", meaning that the patient may have contracted the disease abroad. A Division of NBCUniversal. However, monkeypox is not the same as smallpox, and it does not have the same capacity for rapid human-to-human transmission. Avoid overcrowded areas such as nightclubs and consider using safe sexual practices such as physical barriers (condoms) in countries reporting monkeypox transmission. While efforts are underway to address these gaps, it is important to remain vigilant for monkeypox in all population groups to prevent onward transmission. Kluge said the WHO will likely reconsider whether monkeypox is global health emergency soon, given the "rapid evolution and emergency nature of the event." These include rope squirrels, tree squirrels, Gambian pouched rats, dormice, non-human primates, among others. Interim guidance is being or has been developed to support Member States with raising awareness; surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing; laboratory diagnostics and testing; clinical management and infection prevention and control (IPC); vaccines and immunization; and risk communication and community engagement (please refer to the WHO Guidance and Public Health Recommendations section below). The original (first generation) smallpox vaccines from the eradication programme are no longer available to the general public. On 19 May, Belgium confirmed its first cases of monkeypox in two Belgian men, it was later confirmed by Reuters that the men had gone to the same party.[24]. Since 1 January 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported to WHO from 42 Member States across five WHO regions (the Regions of the Americas, Africa, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific). This form can be used for investigation of exposure risks and transmission dynamics of cases and secondary infection risk in contacts. Planned gatherings in areas where monkeypox cases have been detected can be safely maintained with a few precautions and sharing of information as required. [8] It may spread from infected animals by handling infected meat or via bites or scratches. Human-to-human transmission occurs among people in close physical contact, with the increase in recent cases linked to sexual contact, suggesting that the virus linked to the disease can be sexually transmitted. Vaccination against smallpox was shown in the past to be cross-protective against monkeypox. The map does not count countries with confirmed cases which are wholly or primarily geographically located outside of Europe (e.g. It was in an elderly person of undisclosed gender who most likely contracted the disease abroad. Multicolour, multiplex real-time PCR assay for the detection of human-pathogenic poxviruses. It is unknown how it was contracted, although the disease was likely picked up abroad via travel or skin-to-skin contact. [1] Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over. Please refer to the WHO Guidance and Public Health Recommendations section below. Extended training. He had already showed symptoms since 29 April, and was admitted to hospital in London on 6 May. Online training module. Contacts of people who have monkeypox also need to be quickly identified to stop the spread, he said. WHO is working to identify Member States who may be interested in sharing these detailed data, or analyses, to inform the global understanding of the current outbreak. Detailed location information remains limited while disease surveillance and contact tracing continue; additional affected countries may be identified in the coming weeks. However, clearly communicating the reality of the current outbreak is also crucial, he added. Due to the range of conditions that cause skin rashes and because clinical presentation may more often be atypical in this outbreak, it can be challenging to differentiate monkeypox solely based on the clinical presentation. During this current outbreak, many individuals are presenting with atypical symptoms, which includes a localized rash that may present as little as one lesion. This is a table of confirmed and suspected monkeypox cases in European countries during the ongoing 2022 monkeypox outbreak. This vaccine is based on a strain of vaccinia virus (known generically as modified vaccinia Ankara Bavarian Nordic strain, or MVA-BN).