Just as the Covid pandemic seemed to be receding, a new virus is spreading, and it looks like an emergency will be declared.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an emergency meeting, as the global outbreak of smallpox in monkeys poses a “real risk”.
Europe remains the epicenter of the global smallpox outbreak, with more than 1,500 cases reported in the region.
The UN health agency is holding an emergency meeting next week to determine whether to classify the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
“Europe remains the epicenter of this growing outbreak with 25 countries reporting more than 1,500 cases, or 85% of the world’s total,” Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe, told a conference on Wednesday. of press.
The WHO European region comprises 53 countries, including several in Central Asia. “The magnitude of this outbreak poses a real risk. The longer the virus circulates, the more it will spread and the stronger the disease will spread to non-endemic countries,” Kluge said.
Until recent months, smallpox had generally been limited to West and Central Africa.
Kluge said most cases reported in Europe “have been between men who have sex with men,” but also warned against stigmatization.
He stressed that “the smallpox virus is not in itself linked to any specific group.”
The regional director also warned that the risk increased as summer arrived with “tourism, various Pride events, music festivals and other mass rallies planned throughout the region”.
“These events are powerful opportunities to connect with young, sexually active, and highly mobile people,” Kluge said, but stressed that “smallpox is not a reason to cancel events, but an opportunity to take advantage of them.” to drive our commitment. ”
Speaking alongside Kluge, Steve Taylor, director of the Association of European Pride Organizers, said some 750 Pride events were planned across the European region and welcomed the recommendation of the ‘WHO does not cancel these events.
“Unfortunately, but quite predictably, some of those who oppose Pride and who oppose equality and human rights have already tried to use the monkey’s smallpox as a justification to call for a Pride ban.” , Taylor told reporters.
The EU announced on Tuesday that it had bought nearly 110,000 doses of vaccine to help deal with the outbreak, although the WHO does not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox.
Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a rash such as chickenpox in the hands and face.
There is no treatment, but the symptoms usually go away after two or four weeks. The disease is considered endemic in 11 African countries, where the mortality rate ranges from three to six percent.