The World Health Organization has said there is no evidence that monkeypox has mutated, while the European Health Agency has confirmed that the risk of monkeypox spreading widely is very low.
WHO: No evidence that monkeypox virus has mutated
A senior executive of the World Health Organization said today, Monday, that the organization has no evidence that the monkeypox virus has mutated, noting that the disease, which is endemic in West and Central Africa, has not changed.
Rosamund Lewis, director of the Smallpox Department of the World Health Organization's emergency program, told reporters that mutations are usually less with this virus, but the genetic sequence of cases will help to better identify and understand the current wave of spread.
European Health Agency: risk of large-scale monkeypox spread 'very low'
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said on Monday that the risk of the rare disease monkeypox spreading in the population at large is "extremely low" but high in certain groups.
Andrea Amon, director of the European Health Agency, explained that "most of the current cases were accompanied by mild symptoms, and for the general public, the probability of spread is very low," adding that the possibility of spreading the virus through close contact between people with multiple sexual partners was considered "high."
As of May 21, WHO has received reports of 92 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox and 28 suspected cases from 12 countries with no outbreaks, including several European countries, the United States, Australia and Canada.
And on Monday, Denmark's infectious disease agency announced the confirmation of the first case of the disease in the Scandinavian country.
"I am concerned about the increasing number of monkeypox cases in the European Union and the world. We are monitoring the situation closely," said European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakidis.
She indicated that while the probability of the epidemic spreading "amongst the wider population is low", it is necessary to "maintain vigilance" and ensure that contacts are traced and appropriate examinations are carried out.
Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph glands, chills, fatigue, and a rash on the hands and face.
There is no cure for the disease yet, but symptoms usually resolve after 2 to 4 weeks.
The disease is widespread in 11 African countries.
According to the European Agency, the virus can cause severe illness in certain groups such as children, pregnant women and people with immunodeficiency.
The agency also noted the risk of transmission from humans to animals, which it said could carry a "risk of becoming a disease common in Europe."
The latest global developments
US President Joe Biden said Monday that monkeypox does not represent the same level of concern as Covid, and that America has enough vaccines to deal with monkeypox.
Portugal reports 14 new confirmed cases of monkeypox
Today, Monday, the health authorities in Portugal recorded 14 new confirmed cases of monkeypox, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 37.
In neighboring Spain, the health authorities in the Madrid region recorded 4 more confirmed cases today, Monday, bringing the total to 34 injuries.
There are another 38 suspected monkeypox cases in Madrid.
Denmark records the first case of monkeypox
And the Danish Ministry of Health said, in a statement today, Monday, that it had recorded the first case of monkeypox virus, which is a man who returned from a trip to Spain.
"Health authorities do not expect the infection to spread in Denmark, but we are closely monitoring the situation to prepare for a possible development of infections," Health Minister Magnus Heonice said in a statement.
The ministry stated that the man is currently subject to isolation, and the authorities are following up on the condition of his contacts.
Scotland confirms first monkeypox case
And Public Health Scotland said, in a statement, that it had recorded the first confirmed case of monkeypox virus today, Monday, adding that the infected person is receiving treatment while his contacts are being traced.
"We are working with the NHS and other partners in Scotland and the UK to investigate the source of this infection. Close contacts are being identified and provided with health information and advice," said Nick Fein, director of public health sciences at the agency.