What’s behind the rise in monkeypox cases? Here is what scientists know so far

A small number of cases of monkeypox are currently reported or suspected in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, and the United States.

The outbreak is alert because it spreads through close contact and the first viral disease found in monkeys occurs primarily in West Africa and Central Africa and, very rarely, elsewhere.

This is what scientists have ever known.

“Very rare”

Monkeypox is a virus that causes fever and a unique bumpy rash. There are two major strains, usually mild. Congolese strains are more severe and have a mortality rate of up to 10%. West African strains have a mortality rate of about 1% of cases. The UK case has been reported as a West African strain.

“Historically, there have been few cases of export. Jimmy Whitworth, a professor of international public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said,” This is very rare. ” Said.

Portugal has recorded 5 confirmed cases and Spain has tested 23 potential cases. Neither country has ever reported a case.

The United States has also reported one case.

Infection; Infection

The virus spreads through close contact, both from animal spillovers and, rarely, between humans. It is believed that rodents are likely to be the host of the main animal, but it was named because it was first discovered in monkeys in 1958.

This infection is a mysterious expert, as many cases in the UK (9 as of May 18) are not known to each other. Only the first case reported on May 6 recently traveled to Nigeria.

Therefore, experts warn of broader transmission if no cases have been reported.

The UK Health and Security Agency’s warning also emphasized that recent incidents were primarily among men who self-identified as gay, bisexual, or men having sex with men, noting those groups. I advised you to do it.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said this week that scientists are doing genomic sequencing to see if the virus is involved.

Why now?

One possible scenario behind the increase in the number of cases is increased mobility due to the removal of the COVID-19 restriction.

“My theory of work is that there is a lot in West Africa and Central Africa and the trip has resumed, so we see more cases,” says Whitworth.

Since monkeypox belongs to the smallpox family, it alerts virologists, but it does not cause a serious illness.

Smallpox was eradicated by vaccination in 1980, after which Shot was phased out. However, to protect against monkeypox, the end of the vaccination campaign has led to a surge in monkeypox cases in areas where the disease is endemic, according to Anne Limoan, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles. ..

She said urgent investigation of new cases is important because “it may suggest new means of spreading the virus and changes, but all of this should be determined.”

Experts urged people not to panic.

“It doesn’t cause a national epidemic like COVID, but it’s a serious outbreak of a serious illness. We should take it seriously,” Whitworth said.

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