This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak.
Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner | CDC via AP
The World Health Organization on Friday confirmed about 80 cases of monkeypox with recent outbreaks reported in 11 countries.
The outbreaks are unusual because they are occurring in countries where the virus is not endemic, according to the WHO. More cases will likely be reported in the coming days as surveillance expands, the global health agency said.
“WHO is working with the affected countries and others to expand disease surveillance to find and support people who may be affected, and to provide guidance on how to manage the disease,” the WHO said in a statement Friday.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus that is in the same family as smallpox. Monkeypox is usually less severe than smallpox. The virus is spread through close contact with people, animals or material infected with it.
“As monkeypox spreads through close contact, the response should focus on the people affected and their close contacts,” the WHO said. People in close contact with someone who is infectious are at higher risk of catching monkeypox. This includes health-care workers, household members and sexual partners, according to the WHO.
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Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/20/world-health-organization-confirms-80-cases-of-monkeypox-with-outbreaks-in-11-countries.html