The number of confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox in Europe has continued to increase. The World Health Organization is concerned that the occurrence of monkeypox cases in many countries may indicate that the monkeypox virus has been secretly transmitted in the community, and the number of infections may further increase in the future As of the 20th, at least nine countries in Europe have reported confirmed cases of monkeypox, including the UK, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden. Outside Europe, confirmed cases of monkeypox have also been reported in the United States, Canada and Australia.
The first case of monkeypox in Europe was confirmed on the 7th. It was the British who returned from Nigeria. So far, 20 monkeypox patients have been diagnosed in Britain, 30 in Spain and 23 in Portugal. Reuters aggregated data show that there are more than 100 confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox virus in Europe.
According to the German military medical department, this is the "largest" monkeypox epidemic experienced in Europe.
Monkeypox outbreaks used to occur in central and West Africa. A total of 11 African countries have reported confirmed cases of monkeypox since 1970, Reuters reported. According to who data, Nigeria reports about 3000 cases of monkeypox virus infection a year, and 46 suspected monkeypox cases have been reported this year, including 15 confirmed cases.
"Atypical"
Hans cluge, who regional director for Europe, said on the 20th that unlike the previous monkeypox epidemic in Africa, the recent monkeypox epidemic in Europe is "atypical": except for one infected person, other infected persons have no travel history in the risk area of monkeypox epidemic; Most infected persons were diagnosed by STD clinic; Confirmed cases have been found throughout Europe and even outside Europe.
Cluge said that with the arrival of summer and the increase of gathering activities, "I'm worried that the spread will accelerate".
Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis. Monkeypox virus can be transmitted from animals to humans through close contact. Although it is not easy to spread from person to person, it may also be infected in close contact with the infected person, such as contact with the infected person's skin lesions, body fluids, droplets, etc.
Epidemiological experts said that the cause of the monkeypox epidemic in Europe is not clear. It is unclear whether the monkeypox virus will be transmitted through sexual behavior or close sexual contact. Scientists are sequencing the virus's genes to determine whether there is an association between different infected people, or whether the monkeypox virus has a mutation that leads to increased infectivity.
Vaccine effective
Although the number of monkeypox infections in Europe is likely to increase further, epidemiologists believe that the European monkeypox epidemic is unlikely to develop into a global epidemic.
Fabian lundez of the Robert Koch Institute, a German disease control agency, said that the monkeypox epidemic is unlikely to last for a long time. "By tracking close contacts, these cases can be well isolated, and drugs and effective vaccines can be used if necessary".
At present, there is no special monkeypox vaccine, but who data show that the effectiveness of smallpox vaccine against monkeypox virus is as high as 85%. The British government has begun to provide smallpox vaccine to some medical workers or people at risk of monkeypox virus exposure.
According to Christian Harpy, director of the African Demonstration Center for the genetics of infectious diseases, the reduction of smallpox vaccination after the who announced the elimination of smallpox in 1980 may boost the spread of monkeypox in Europe.
The initial symptoms of monkeypox infection include fever, headache, muscle soreness, back pain, swollen lymph nodes and so on. Later, it can develop into a large-scale rash on the face and body. Most infected people will recover within a few weeks, but others are seriously ill or even die. At present, no deaths have been reported from monkeypox in Europe. Liu Xiuling (special feature of Xinhua News Agency)