The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended, this Wednesday (27), new measures to prevent monkeypox.
In a press conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom said that more than 18,000 cases have already been reported to the WHO from 78 countries, with more than 70% of cases originating in Europe and 25% from the Americas.
Adhanom again said that the outbreak can be stopped, as long as countries and individuals inform themselves and consider the risks of transmission.
“The best way to do this is to reduce the risk of exposure. That means making safe choices for yourself and others. For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the time being, reducing the number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners and exchanging contact details with new partners to allow for follow-up if necessary. WHO.
The WHO director-general also oriented health services to provide information about the disease with the aim of reducing the risk of infection, in addition to providing the necessary care for the treatment of those infected.
Again, Adhanom stated that stigma and discrimination can have negative impacts on the fight against the disease.
“Although 98% of cases so far are among men who have sex with men, anyone exposed can catch monkeypox, which is why the WHO recommends that countries take steps to reduce the risk of transmission to other vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and those who are immunosuppressed”, he said.
In addition to transmission through sexual contact, the disease can also be transmitted through close contact between people in the same household, such as hugs and kisses, and on contaminated towels or bedding.
Vaccination
WHO recommends targeted vaccination for those exposed to someone with the disease and for those at high risk of exposure, including healthcare workers, laboratory workers and those with multiple sexual partners.
At this time, the WHO does not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox.
“A smallpox vaccine, called MVA-BN, has been approved in Canada, the European Union and the US for use against smallpox. Two other vaccines, LC16 and ACAM2000, are also being considered for use against monkeypox,” Adhanom said.
Signs and symptoms of monkeypox
The disease is caused by a virus that belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. There are two groups of monkeypox virus: those from West Africa and those from the Congo Basin (Central Africa).
Human infections with the West African type of virus appear to cause less severe illness compared to the Congo Basin viral group, with a fatality rate of 3.6% compared to 10% for the Congo Basin viral group.
“The most important thing about monkeypox is that it causes a rash that can be uncomfortable, can be itchy and can be painful. So the most important thing about taking care of someone with this disease is basically taking care of their skin and taking care of any symptoms that someone might have, like pain or itching.” of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Monkeypox virus is transmitted from person to person through close contact with injuries, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding. The incubation period is usually 6 to 13 days, but can range from 5 to 21 days.
“Monkey smallpox is spread by proximity, face-to-face, skin-to-skin, direct contact. That’s how it’s always been described. There may be some new things happening in this outbreak right now. We don’t know everything. There is still a lot to learn,” said the WHO researcher.
The WHO warns that some of these cases are being identified in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The disease can be spread by skin contact during sex, including kissing, touching, oral sex, and penetration with someone who has symptoms.
Source: CNN Brasil
