Monkeypox, WHO alarm: “Risk affirming itself in non-endemic countries”

“The risk of monkeypox settling in non-endemic countries” for infection “is real,” warns the World Health Organization, “particularly concerned” about the consequences the disease can cause “in vulnerable groups including children. children and pregnant women “. This is the warning launched by the WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. However, he added the DG, the assertion of the Monkeypox virus in areas of the world that previously recorded only sporadic imported cases “is a preventable scenario”. In this sense, the United Nations Health Agency once again urges the affected countries to “make every effort to identify all cases and contacts, so as to control this outbreak and prevent the spread of the disease”. So far “more than 1,000” are those “confirmed of monkeypox reported to the World Health Organization from 29 countries where the disease is not endemic. So far no deaths have been reported in these countries” and recorded infections mainly concern but not only men who have sexual relations with other men. Some countries are starting to report cases of apparent community transmission, including some in women. ” The WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, takes stock during the periodic press briefing. The Dg reiterates that “the sudden and unexpected appearance of Monkeypox in several countries where the infection is not endemic suggests that the transmission may have gone on for some time without being detected. But we do not know for how long”. In any case, for now, “WHO does not recommend mass vaccination”, Tedros reiterated. Where available, he explained, the few vaccines are used to protect those who may be exposed to the infection, such as healthcare workers and laboratory staff. “Post-exposure vaccination” to Monkeypox virus, “to be administered ideally within the following 4 days – recalled the DG – may be considered by some countries for close contacts at a higher risk, such as sexual partners, family members and operators health “. To support the states that register outbreaks in the containment of viral transmission,” WHO has published guidelines on surveillance and contact tracing, and laboratory tests for diagnosis. And in the coming days – announces Tedros – we will publish there are also guidelines on clinical care, infection prevention and control, and vaccination. “Against monkeypox” there are approved antivirals and vaccines, but these products are available in limited quantities, “said the DG. Also for this reason “WHO is developing a coordination mechanism for the distribution of supplies based on public health needs and according to criteria of fairness”. Last week, the Geneva-based agency also hosted “a consultation with over 500 international researchers, to analyze what we know and what we do not know” about the disease “and to identify research priorities.”