The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that Monkeypox presents a 'moderate risk' to public health, after cases of the disease have been confirmed in non-native countries.
In a statement released yesterday (29 May) the United Nations agency confirmed the assessment - with cases reported 'concurrently in widely disparate WHO geographical areas'.
The risk assessment itself, read: "Currently, the overall public health risk at global level is assessed as moderate considering this is the first time that Monkeypox cases and clusters are reported concurrently in widely disparate WHO geographical areas."
Read more: Monkeypox in the UK - the eight symptoms you need to watch out for
It continued: "The public health risk could become high if this virus exploits the opportunity to establish itself as a human pathogen and spreads to groups at higher risk of severe disease such as young children and immunosuppressed persons.
"A large part of the population is vulnerable to monkeypox virus, as smallpox vaccination, which confers some cross-protection, has been discontinued since 1980 or earlier in some countries."
Although at the time of writing there have been no confirmed fatalities through the virus, the leading health organisation did express concerns that the number of reported cases is expected to be an underestimated figure. This is due to a limited amount of knowledge on the relatively new disease, as well as laboratory information.
"There is currently limited epidemiological and laboratory information, and the number of cases currently being reported is likely to be an underestimate, in part due the following:
- the relatively mild symptoms in many cases with localized rash and lymphadenopathy, such that many persons may not present to health care services
- lack of early clinical recognition by health workers of an infection previously known in only a few countries;
- the time required by Member States to establish and scale up new surveillance mechanisms.
- and a lack of widely available diagnostic tests, reagents and other supplies."
As of May 26, the UK's total cases of the virus stand at 106 - with 101 in England, three in Scotland, and one in Wales and Northern Ireland a piece respectively.
On May 16, officials also announced at least one patient was being treated for the disease in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.
To combat the spreading virus, the WHO has in-turn advised that affected countries be on 'alert' for signs and symptoms relating to patients with rashes progressing in 'sequential stages' in order to prevent secondary cases and effectively manage the current wave.
They said: "Countries should be on the alert for signals related to patients presenting with a rash that progresses in sequential stages – macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, scabs, at the same stage of development over all affected areas of the body – that may be associated with fever, enlarged lymph nodes, headache, back pain, muscle aches or fatigue.
"During this current outbreak, many individuals are presenting with localized rash – oral, peri-genital and/or peri-anal distribution associated with painful regional lymphadenopathy – sometimes with secondary infection.
"These individuals may present to various community and health care settings including but not limited to primary care, fever clinics, sexual health services, travel health clinics, infectious disease units, emergency departments, dermatology clinics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and dental services.
"Increasing awareness among potentially affected communities, as well as health care providers and laboratory workers, is essential for identifying and preventing further secondary cases and effective management of the current outbreak."
To find out more about the main symptoms of Monkeypox, visit our article here.
Read next:
