The World Health Organization (WHO) still considers it possible to contain monkeypox, even though it classifies the recent outbreak outside Africa as exceptional. Further meetings would be planned to provide support and advice to responsible authorities in several countries in fighting the disease, the UN health organization said on Tuesday.
Since a case outside Africa and thus its usual range was first reported on May 7, 131 diseases have been confirmed and a further 106 suspected cases have been registered. The disease is usually mild. Symptoms include fever, headache, and rash, which usually start on the face and spread to the rest of the body.
Vaccination stock limited
The WHO said on Monday that it currently sees no need for mass vaccination against monkeypox. Measures such as hygiene and preventive sexual behavior would help contain the spread of the virus. Vaccine stocks are relatively limited, according to the WHO. On the same day, the US disease control agency CDC announced that the US had begun targeting vaccines.
21 days of quarantine
Meanwhile, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin recommended isolation of at least 21 days if infected with monkeypox. In addition, there is also an urgent recommendation for contact persons to go into isolation for at least 21 days, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said in a joint press conference with RKI chairman Lothar Wieler on Tuesday. This measure is intended to bring the outbreak in Germany under control.
“We have a good chance of stopping this pathogen, not just in Germany but across Europe,” Lauterbach said. It is not the start of a new pandemic. According to Wieler, five cases in Germany were forwarded to the RKI on Tuesday morning. These are exclusively men. There is still only one case in Austria, and there is also an obligation to isolate sick people in this country.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
