An increase in the number of deaths linked to monkeypox is to be expected, the WHO Regional Office for Europe said on Saturday after the announcement of the first deaths outside Africa.
However, the organization emphasizes that severe complications remain rare.
Two deaths of people with monkeypox have been announced since Friday by Spain and another by Brazil, without it being known whether the virus is indeed the cause of these deaths.
The three cases bring the number of deaths recorded globally since May to eight, with the first five reported in Africa, where the disease is endemic and was first detected in humans in 1970.
Objective: quickly stop monkeypox
"Given the continued spread of monkeypox in Europe, we expect more deaths," said Catherine Smallwood, an emergency officer at WHO Europe, in a statement.
The objective must be “to quickly interrupt the transmission of the virus in Europe and put a stop to this epidemic”, insists Ms. Smallwood, who nevertheless underlines that without most cases, the disease is cured by itself. even, without requiring treatment.
“The reporting of monkeypox-related deaths does not change our assessment of the outbreak in Europe.
We know that although self-limiting in most cases, monkeypox can lead to serious complications,” she noted.
For now, the WHO stresses that there are not vaccines for everyone and therefore recommends prioritizing those who are most at risk, those who are sick and those who treat or make them. of research.
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