The World Health Organisation has issued an update as the global spread of the monkeypox virus continues to fall.
As many regions in Europe and America see a decrease in case numbers, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned of one area where ‘intense transmission’ continues to be seen.
Speaking on Thursday at the Covid-19 media briefing, the WHO Director-General said: “Last week, the number of weekly reported cases fell by more than 20% globally, although new cases increased in the Americas, where we are continuing to see intense transmission.
READ MORE: Minister for Health accepts advice to roll out monkeypox vaccine in two doses
“In the early stages of the outbreak, most reported cases were in Europe, with a smaller proportion in the Americas.
“That has now reversed, with less than 40% of reported cases in Europe and 60% in the Americas.”
He said that there are signs the outbreak is beginning to slow in Europe, thanks to a combination of “effective public health measures, behaviour change and vaccination” helping to prevent transmission.
However, while some countries are seeing a move in the right direction, the WHO warned that in Latin America in particular, “insufficient awareness or public health measures are combining with a lack of access to vaccines to fan the flames of the outbreak.”
In light of this, the manufacturer of one vaccine, Bavarian Nordic, made an agreement with WHO’s Regional Office for the Americas to support access to its vaccine in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, from next week people in Ireland who are at high risk of getting monkeypox will be offered a dose.
You will be called if you were notified as having early infectious syphilis between December 2021 and July 2022 and are a:
- gay man
- bisexual man
- man who has sex with men
- transgender person
If you are in this group, your sexual health clinic will contact you in the next few days while later this year, others who are at high risk of contracting monkeypox will be offered vaccines - depending on the available supply.
According to the HSE, “If you have been exposed to monkeypox, you will get 1 dose of the monkeypox vaccine.
“If you are offered a vaccine because you are at high risk of getting monkeypox, you will get 2 doses of the monkeypox vaccine, 28 days apart.
“If you had a smallpox vaccine before, you only need 1 dose of the vaccine. But if you have a weak immune system, you will need 2 doses. Vaccines may be less effective for you than other people.”
It takes 14 days after your course of this vaccine for it to work, but there is a chance you may still get monkeypox, even if you have had the vaccine - it may simply reduce any symptoms.
READ NEXT:
- Teen raped in centre of Tralee hours after Rose of Tralee festival
- Cost of running an air fryer, oven and microwave compared - with one a lot cheaper
- Bright teen girl 'identifying as a cat at school' and 'shows feline behaviour'
- Genius ways to keep rats out of your garden forever, according to the experts
- Ireland weather: Met Eireann's fantastic weekend prediction as country to bask in 23C
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
