The WHO has decided to maintain the highest health alert for monkeypox despite a notable decrease in cases in the most affected countries in Europe and America, according to a press release from the organization published on Tuesday.
The WHO Emergency Committee said that despite progress in controlling outbreaks of the viral disease, there are still “reasons for concern”, in particular about new infections in some countries, but also about a lack of resources. in poor countries or the risk of stigmatizing populations. in danger, underlines the press release of the group of experts that met on October 20.
The Public Health Emergency of International Importance, the highest level of WHO health alert, was declared on July 23 by the organization’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Cases increased in Europe last May
The disease, which is endemic in some West African countries, is characterized by rashes, which can appear on the genitals or in the mouth, and may be accompanied by bouts of fever, sore throat or sore lymph nodes.
Since May, health authorities have noted outbreaks in Europe and the United States.
In most cases, those affected so far have been relatively young men who have sex with men.
The WHO has warned from the start against stigmatizing any particular community, emphasizing that transmission is not limited to men who have sex with men.
Several women and children (outside the endemic area) have contracted the disease. It is thanks in particular to the mobilization and awareness campaigns of LGBTQ rights organizations that shelters have been reduced.
77,264 cases listed
As of October 31, 77,264 cases have been registered in 103 countries and the disease has claimed 36 lives, according to the WHO control panel.
During the week of October 24-30, the number of cases fell globally by 40.7%. The majority of new infections in the last month occurred in the Americas (88.7%) and in the WHO Europe region, which includes 53 countries (7.7%).
The 10 most affected countries are the United States, Brazil, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Canada. They alone recorded 86.4% of all cases listed worldwide.
In the week of October 24-30, Nigeria recorded the highest increase among 15 countries that have seen an increase in cases.
On the other hand, 58 countries have not reported a case for 21 days, which corresponds to the maximum incubation period of the disease during which a carrier does not present any of the very characteristic symptoms of the disease.
Source: BFM TV
