Monkeypox: WHO Expecting More Cases Globally

The World Health Organization (WHO) says it expects more cases of monkeypox as it expands surveillance in countries where the disease is not typically found.

Aljazeera reports on Sunday that as of Saturday, 92 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox were reported from 12 member states that are not endemic to the virus.

The UN agency added that it will provide further guidance and recommendations in the coming days for countries on how to mitigate the spread of monkeypox.

“Available information suggests that human-to-human transmission is occurring among people in close physical contact with cases who are symptomatic.”

WHO official David Heymann, an infectious disease specialist said; “What seems to be happening now is that it has got into the population as a sexual form, as a genital form, and is being spread as are sexually transmitted infections, which has amplified its transmission around the world.”

Heymann added that an international committee of experts met via video conference to look at what needed to be studied about the outbreak and communicated to the public, including whether there is any asymptomatic spread, the people who are at most risk, and the various routes of transmission.

He stressed the monkeypox outbreak did not resemble the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic because it does not transmit as easily, adding that those who suspect they may have been exposed or who show symptoms should avoid close contact with others.