On May 23, local time, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control released a risk assessment report on the current monkeypox outbreak in Europe. If the current outbreak is not effectively contained and the virus spills back into vulnerable animal species, monkeypox has the potential to develop into a persistent epidemic in Europe, the center said.
In 1980, WHO declared that the world had eradicated smallpox, and monkeypox was considered to be the most important orthopoxvirus infection in humans since the eradication of smallpox. Before the current outbreak, monkeypox cases were mainly scattered in the tropical rainforests of central and western Africa.
Monkeypox usually begins with flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes, and symptoms are often similar to, but milder than, smallpox. Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, chills and fatigue. In more severe cases, a rash usually appears on the face and genitals, similar to chickenpox and smallpox.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said that if human-to-human transmission continues, and if monkeypox virus enters animal species in the region, the virus' virulence will increase, although the risk appears to be low for now.
"Currently, scientists know very little about whether domestic (mammalian) animal species around Europe would be hosts for monkeypox virus," the risk assessment noted. Rodents and squirrels may be suitable hosts for monkeypox virus, and in theory, Transmission from humans to pets is possible. "Such a spillover event could lead to the spread of the virus in European wildlife and become an endemic zoonotic disease."
In 2003, a small outbreak of monkeypox from animals to humans occurred in the United States. The outbreak was traced to infected small mammals imported as pets from Ghana - two rope squirrels, a Gambian rat and three dormouses . The animals infected nearby prairie dogs at a wholesale pet store, and the prairie dogs infected 47 people in six states.
After the 2003 outbreak in the U.S., U.S. public health authorities conducted extensive surveillance, looking for instances where the virus may have re-entered animals. But they found no clear evidence at the time.
Given concerns that the virus could spill back into animals, national health authorities should engage in close intersectoral cooperation with animal agencies to manage exposed pets and prevent transmission of the virus to animals, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said. "
It is understood that monkeypox virus can be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets (saliva containing the virus that can infect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat) and through contact with monkeypox lesions or body fluids. The virus can enter the bloodstream through small incisions in the skin . It can also be spread through contact with clothing or linen contaminated with monkeypox virus.
Based on infected population demographics, monkeypox virus appears to be currently circulating among men who have sex with men. But Maria van Kerckhoff warned that surveillance is currently focused on detecting cases through sexual health clinics, and further expansion of the investigation could allow other cases to surface.
Andrea Ammon, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, said: "Most of the current cases show mild symptoms of the disease and the potential for transmission to the wider population is very low. However, through close contact , such as during sexual activity between people with multiple sexual partners, the potential for further spread of the virus is high."
According to the latest reports, among European countries, the United Kingdom has confirmed 57 cases of monkeypox, one of which is a child; Portugal has confirmed 37 cases; Spain has confirmed 31 cases.
WHO recommends that European countries should focus on the rapid detection, management and reporting of new monkeypox cases in the coming period. Countries should also update their contact tracing mechanisms, as well as their ability to diagnose orthopoxviruses, a group of viruses in the monkeypox genus, and check the availability of smallpox vaccines, antiviral drugs, and personal protective equipment for health professionals.
In 1980, WHO declared that the world had eradicated smallpox, and monkeypox was considered to be the most important orthopoxvirus infection in humans since the eradication of smallpox. Before the current outbreak, monkeypox cases were mainly scattered in the tropical rainforests of central and western Africa.
This highly magnified electron microscope image shows a mulberry-type monkeypox virus particle
Monkeypox is considered a zoonotic disease. The number of cases in the current global outbreak is changing rapidly. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases Unit of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Program, said on May 23 that to date, the number of confirmed and suspected monkeypox worldwide has been The number of cases is approaching 200. Confirmed cases have been reported in 11 European countries, as well as in the United States, Canada, Israel and Australia.Monkeypox usually begins with flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes, and symptoms are often similar to, but milder than, smallpox. Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, chills and fatigue. In more severe cases, a rash usually appears on the face and genitals, similar to chickenpox and smallpox.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said that if human-to-human transmission continues, and if monkeypox virus enters animal species in the region, the virus' virulence will increase, although the risk appears to be low for now.
"Currently, scientists know very little about whether domestic (mammalian) animal species around Europe would be hosts for monkeypox virus," the risk assessment noted. Rodents and squirrels may be suitable hosts for monkeypox virus, and in theory, Transmission from humans to pets is possible. "Such a spillover event could lead to the spread of the virus in European wildlife and become an endemic zoonotic disease."
In 2003, a small outbreak of monkeypox from animals to humans occurred in the United States. The outbreak was traced to infected small mammals imported as pets from Ghana - two rope squirrels, a Gambian rat and three dormouses . The animals infected nearby prairie dogs at a wholesale pet store, and the prairie dogs infected 47 people in six states.
After the 2003 outbreak in the U.S., U.S. public health authorities conducted extensive surveillance, looking for instances where the virus may have re-entered animals. But they found no clear evidence at the time.
Given concerns that the virus could spill back into animals, national health authorities should engage in close intersectoral cooperation with animal agencies to manage exposed pets and prevent transmission of the virus to animals, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said. "
It is understood that monkeypox virus can be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets (saliva containing the virus that can infect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat) and through contact with monkeypox lesions or body fluids. The virus can enter the bloodstream through small incisions in the skin . It can also be spread through contact with clothing or linen contaminated with monkeypox virus.
Based on infected population demographics, monkeypox virus appears to be currently circulating among men who have sex with men. But Maria van Kerckhoff warned that surveillance is currently focused on detecting cases through sexual health clinics, and further expansion of the investigation could allow other cases to surface.
Andrea Ammon, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, said: "Most of the current cases show mild symptoms of the disease and the potential for transmission to the wider population is very low. However, through close contact , such as during sexual activity between people with multiple sexual partners, the potential for further spread of the virus is high."
According to the latest reports, among European countries, the United Kingdom has confirmed 57 cases of monkeypox, one of which is a child; Portugal has confirmed 37 cases; Spain has confirmed 31 cases.
WHO recommends that European countries should focus on the rapid detection, management and reporting of new monkeypox cases in the coming period. Countries should also update their contact tracing mechanisms, as well as their ability to diagnose orthopoxviruses, a group of viruses in the monkeypox genus, and check the availability of smallpox vaccines, antiviral drugs, and personal protective equipment for health professionals.
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