Monkey pox: The health risk in Europe now qualified as “high” by the WHO

The World Health Organization has indicated the “urgent nature” of the monkeypox outbreak.

Currently more than 3,413 cases monkeypox have been reported in 50 different countries. If the WHO has chosen not to consider the epidemic of Monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern, the health situation continues to worsen.

In a press release published on Monday, June 27, the WHO however noted “the urgency of the event”particularly in Europe where the health risk is considered to be “raised”.

Europe at the heart of concerns

The WHO considers that the risk to public health remains moderate at the global level. However, at the regional level, the risk becomes raised for’Europedue “of a geographically widespread outbreak”. For scientists, the situation “requires intense response efforts”.

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Monkey pox: A first case of monkeypox has been detected in a child in France

The WHO has also indicated that it could reconsider within a few weeks, the state of emergency of the epidemic.

New parameters that could redefine the stakes of this

The magnitude of monkeypox could be exacerbated by the multiplication of “atypical features” of the disease. This complicates an accurate diagnosis, and therefore contributes to a greater spread of the virus.

This is, for example, skin lesions minimal, sometimes localized in the genital area, which do not necessarily spread. In some cases, these slight lesions predate the flu-like symptoms. Some patients do not even develop skin lesions. Furthermore, anal painsometimes followed by bleeding, are also symptomatic of monkeypox.

However, the WHO notes the upcoming arrival of a viral drug called “Tecorivimat”. According to the health agency, “reliable and interpretable results on its safety and efficacy” are waiting.

After the vaccine, a first drug: the antiviral Tecovirimat can now be given to patients with #monkeypox.

Not marketed in France, it has been authorized by the EMA on the basis of studies carried out in animals and uninfected people.https://t.co/0DD7ze4yjs pic.twitter.com/reQoUUdtHo

— Nicolas Berrod (@nicolasberrod) June 28, 2022

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