The whole world is concerned about the increase in cases of smallpox in more than 200 suspected cases of the disease reported in 20 countries around the world; the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm. Sylvie Briand, WHO’s head of epidemic and pandemic prevention and preparedness, said they don’t know if they’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg over the “unusual” spread of the monkeypox virus.
However, the WHO has stated that the disease could be curtailed if measures are taken immediately. He also advised countries not to impose travel restrictions to combat the spread of monkeypox. Infections have been more common in America and Europe, although cases of smallpox have also been reported in the Middle East.
Countries facing an increase in monkeypox cases
In North America, both the United States and Canada are facing the spread of smallpox. The United States has announced that 9 cases of smallpox have been detected in 7 states. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said nine cases had been confirmed in Massachusetts, Florida, Utah, Washington, California, Virginia and New York, according to media reports. In Canada, 26 cases of monkeypox were reported in the country.
In the South American country of Argentina, 2 confirmed cases were reported. The Ministry of Health suggested that a man from Buenos Aires who had been to Spain had monkeypox with symptoms of injury and fever. The ministry later announced that a suspicious case of a Spaniard who landed in Argentina earlier this week also tested positive, bringing the total number of smallpox cases in the country to 2.
Many European countries face the problem of increasing cases of smallpox. In Ireland, the first case of monkeypox was reported on Saturday. Finland also reported the first case of monkeypox infection. The Italian Ministry of Health announced on Friday that the total number of cases of smallpox in the country has increased to 12. Recently, several more cases of smallpox in monkeys have been identified in places outside Africa, where previously discovered most infections. Israel and the United Arab Emirates also reported their first cases of smallpox last week.
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