The World Health Organization announced that it had received reports from 12 countries confirming that 92 people had been infected with monkeypox, noting that there were 28 other suspected cases of the disease, with the expectation that more cases would appear globally.
The organization added that "the available information indicates that transmission of infection from one person to another occurs between people who are in close physical contact with cases who show symptoms."
For his part, US President Joe Biden said that monkeypox infection is a cause for concern, noting that his administration is looking into the issue of available vaccines and treatments.
In turn, health authorities in Norway have warned of the possible spread of monkeypox in the capital, Oslo.
In Britain, the Health Security Agency and the National Health Service are continuing their investigations into the spread of infection cases, after revealing that the number of cases in the country has doubled to 20.
While health experts say that the disease will not lead to the spread of a new epidemic on the level of the Corona virus, they warn of its seriousness and call for the need to deal with it seriously.
Monkeypox is a contagious disease that is usually mild and endemic in parts of West and Central Africa. It is spread through close contact;
So it can be contained relatively easily through measures such as self-isolation and personal hygiene.
Vaccines are available
David Heyman - an official with the World Health Organization - told Reuters that an international committee of experts met via a video conference to consider what needs to be studied about the outbreak and inform the public, including if there is any spread without symptoms, and who is most at risk. , the different ways of transmission.
He said that close contact is the main route of transmission of the disease, and said that parents who take care of sick children, for example, are at risk, as well as health workers, which is why some countries have started vaccinating monkeypox treatment teams with smallpox vaccines.
Several current cases have also been identified in sexual health clinics, and early genetic sequencing of a few cases in Europe suggests similarities with the strain that spread in a limited manner in Britain, Israel and Singapore in 2018.
Heymann said it was "biologically plausible" that the virus was spreading outside of its endemic countries, but that it did not lead to a major outbreak as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns, social distancing and travel restrictions.
He stressed that the outbreak of monkeypox is not similar to the early days of the Corona pandemic, because it is not easily transmitted.
He said those who suspect they may have the disease or who are showing symptoms, including rash and fever, should avoid close contact with others.
"There are vaccines available, but the most important message is that you can protect yourself," he added.