The SGD (World Health Organization) said that the outbreak of viruela del mono eIn more than 70 countries, it is a global emergency.
Here’s everything you need to know:
What is monkey pox?
Monkeypox is linked to smallpox and cases are usually found in Africa western and central, the virus it does not often spread to other places.
This is why the outbreaks reported in several countries, including The United Kingdom and in all Europealarmed the public health specialists.
Disease, which was first discovered in monkeys, is usually mild, but in some cases it can cause serious illness.
What are the symptoms?
Most patients with monkeypox have only fever, body aches, chills, and fatigue, but some may develop a rash and lesions on the face and hands that may spread to other parts from the body.
The rash may resemble chickenpox or syphilis, and scabs may form and fall off.
Most people recover within a few weeks.
The incubation period for monkeypox is usually 6 to 13 days, but can range from 5 to 21 days.
How is monkeypox spread?
The most likely route of transmission for monkeypox is through close physical contact, touching the clothes, bedding, or towels used by someone with the monkeypox rash, or touching blisters or scabs on the monkeypox skin.
The risk of spread by coughing and sneezing is less, and since prolonged face-to-face contact would be required, this is not a major route of transmission for monkeypox virus.
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The stages of monkeypox rashes (UKHSA/PA)
(Average AP)
Sex is thought to put people at higher risk of contracting the disease because, although it is not known to be sexually transmitted, close physical contact means exposure is more likely.
Most of the cases observed so far have occurred in gay men and bisexuals and among men who have sex with men.
What is the level of risk in the UK?
The type of monkeypox implicated in the outbreak is a West African variety that is believed to be fatal in just 1% of cases.
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Eleven new cases of monkeypox have been confirmed, bringing the total to 2,208 in the UK
(Alamy/AP)
The UKHSA (United Kingdom Health Security Agency) has advised that following the declaration of a global emergency by the WHO, the risk to the UK remains the same.
In a July 22 update, the UKHSA said the latest data suggested the growth of the outbreak may have slowed, meaning new infections are being identified but at a more stable rate.
When did monkeypox come to the UK?
The first case linked to the current outbreak was recorded in England on May 7, 2022.
Scotland recorded its first case on May 23, while Gusts of wind e North Ireland cases confirmed on May 26.
How many cases are there currently in the UK?
As of July 21, there were 2,208 confirmed cases in the UK.
Of these, 2,115 were in England, and the UKHSA said a high proportion of cases were in London.
What are the current public health guidelines for monkeypox?
UKHSA guidance for close contacts of a confirmed case of monkeypox has been updated to say close contacts do not need to self-isolate at home if they do not have symptoms.
People who are close contacts are encouraged to call al NHS (UK National Health Service) or a sexual health clinic if they develop a fever or symptoms of monkeypox, and to avoid skin-to-skin contact with other people, avoid international travel if possible and inform staff of the health or dental center that they are in close contact with prior to attending appointments.
Since symptoms may take up to three weeks to appear after coming into contact with someone with monkeypox, people are advised to be alert to symptoms after skin-to-skin contact or sexual contact with a new nobody.
Why has the WHO declared a global emergency?
There are now more than 16,000 cases reported in 75 countries and territories, and five deaths, detailed the director general of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesusfor the 3,040 cases in 47 countries almost a month ago.
He acknowledged that the committee was unable to reach consensus on whether the outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern.
But he said it was an epidemic “that has spread rapidly around the world, via new modes of transmission, of which we understand very little and which meets the criteria of the International Health Regulations” and therefore has decided that a global emergency should be declared.