The sudden appearance of monkeypox at the same time in several countries where the disease is not normally found suggests an undetected transmission for some time and recent amplification events, the World Health Organization said on Sunday.
Twenty-three countries that are not endemic to the virus have reported a total of 257 confirmed cases and 120 suspected cases to the WHO on May 26, the agency said in a statement.
As of Thursday, Canada had reported 26 confirmed cases to the WHO and between 25 and 35 suspected cases were under investigation, according to the agency’s latest disease update released on Sunday.
The United Kingdom has confirmed 106 cases, and Portugal has confirmed 49, while Spain has confirmed 20 and 64 suspicious cases are still being investigated.
The agency added that it expects more cases to be reported as surveillance in endemic and non-endemic countries expands.
Smallpox is an infectious disease that is usually mild and is endemic to parts of West and Central Africa. It is transmitted by close contact, so it can be contained relatively easily through measures such as self-isolation and hygiene.
“The vast majority of reported cases so far have no established travel links to an endemic area and have been submitted through primary care or sexual health services,” the UN agency said.
According to current information, the WHO does not recommend any international travel restrictions at this time.
Vaccination against smallpox of the monkey
The WHO said it would provide more guidance on case management and infection prevention, and the use of vaccines, in the coming days.
The smallpox virus is closely related to the virus that causes smallpox, which was eradicated worldwide in 1980, and the smallpox vaccine can protect people from smallpox.
Officials in Quebec and some overseas jurisdictions have already announced plans to vaccinate people with the smallpox vaccine.
Quebec’s director of public health, Dr. Luc Boileau, said Thursday that the province will offer the vaccine, which has not been routinely offered in Canada for decades, to those at high risk of contracting the disease. have been in contact with confirmed persons. cases.
Officials in France and the United Kingdom have also stated their intention to vaccinate people, while the European Union is working on a joint purchase agreement for vaccines and antivirals against smallpox.