WHO Confirms 780 Monkeypox Cases In 27 Non-Endemic Countries, England With The Most With 207 Cases

Illustration. (Wikimedia Commons / Yakuzakorat)

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 780 cases of monkeypox in 27 non-endemic countries, with the UK being the most to cross 200 cases in an update published Sunday.

"From 13 May 2022 to 2 June 2022, 780 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported or identified by WHO from 27 Member States in four WHO regions that are not endemic for monkeypox virus," the update noted.

It was emphasized that from May 26 to June 2, about 523 new cases of monkeypox were detected. As of June 2, no deaths from the disease have been recorded.

Information about infection is received through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary health care facilities and has involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men, according to WHO.

The highest number of infections has been detected in the UK (207), followed by Spain (156), Portugal (138), Canada (58), Germany (57), France (33), Netherlands (31), Italy (20), USA ( 19) and Belgium (12).

It is known, monkeypox virus is a rare viral disease that is endemic in remote areas near the tropical forests of Central and West Africa. According to the WHO, the virus is usually transmitted to humans by wild animals, such as rodents and primates, while its secondary spread between humans is limited.

According to the WHO, the usual mortality coefficient during monkeypox outbreaks ranges from 1 percent to 10 percent, with the majority of deaths in younger age groups. There is no specific treatment or vaccine, but early inoculation against smallpox also serves as a very effective prevention.