LONDON ( Associated Press) – Health officials on Friday reported another 50 cases of monkeypox across Britain, bringing the total to 574, the largest outbreak outside Africa so far.
Britain’s Health Protection Agency said in a statement that most cases have been identified in gay or bisexual men, but warned that anyone who comes into close physical contact with someone with monkeypox is at risk of contracting the disease. it happens.
“If you get blisters, or have any other symptoms of monkeypox, don’t go to events, meet friends, or have sexual contact,” warned Dr William Welfare of Britain’s Health Protection Agency. He said those who may have been exposed to the disease should stay at home and call health services for guidance.
The World Health Organization has said that people with monkeypox can be contagious for up to four weeks, and recommends that they isolate themselves until fully recovered.
Globally, in more than 30 countries that do not usually have cases of monkeypox, 1,880 infections have been recorded, of which 85% occur in Europe. No death has been reported.
Until last month, monkeypox had caused major outbreaks only in central and western Africa. A separate pandemic on that continent has recorded more than 1,500 cases and 72 estimated deaths.
This week, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the continued spread of monkeypox in countries that did not previously have the disease “unusual and worrying.”
He said he would convene a meeting of experts next Thursday to decide whether the spread of the monkeypox outbreak warrants a declaration of a global emergency. This would give it the same designation as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing efforts to eradicate polio.
