Monkeypox Causes Panic As WHO Calls for Emergency Meeting, Cases in Europe Jump Over 100

• Over 100 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed or suspected in 12 countries, in the biggest outbreak of the virus in Europe
• The World Health Organisation has called for an emergency meeting after the virus was confirmed in nine European countries as well as Canada, USA and Australia
• The viral infection is similar to smallpox but symptoms are relatively mild with a low fever and a distinctive rash

COPENHAGEN - Monkeypox, a viral infection similar to smallpox that originated from areas in west and central Africa, is spreading across Europe. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has rung alarm bells and called for an emergency meeting.

Over 100 cases of the virus have either been confirmed or suspected in Europe in what has been described as the largest outbreak of the virus in Europe ever.

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The disease was first discovered in monkeys and is spread through close physical contact and up to now the virus has mainly affected African countries.

The virus's rapid spread in Europe is causing serious concern, particularly in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic.

However, scientists are confident that monkeypox will not develop into a pandemic on the scale of Covid19.

Monkeypox is a mild virus and symptoms typically include a fever and a bumpy rash according to SABC News.

The virus has been confirmed in 12 countries with 80 confirmed cases and another 50 suspected cases. Nine countries in Europe have reported the virus and cases have been confirmed in the US, Canada and Australia.

The virus is not easily spread from person to person and scientists have said that the risk to the public at large is relatively low.

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BBC reported that there currently is no vaccine for the virus but the smallpox vaccine is 85% effective. The two viruses are very similar meaning the jab offers a decent amount of protection and is being rolled out across Europe.

"We don’t care”: SA has no interest in Covid19 despite 5th wave looming

Earlier, Briefly News reported that a new Covid-19 wave is headed for South African shores, however, talk around the deadly virus has stopped and vaccination rates have dropped substantially. With the fifth wave looming, scientists have predicted that the infections will be less deadly.

Despite efforts by health officials who warn that the pandemic is not over, South Africans are refusing to take heed. The department of health’s initial target to have 67% of the population vaccinated seems unattainable.

Business Insider reported that the current vaccination rate is lower than at the early stage of the pandemic when only people aged 60 and over were allowed to be vaccinated. The country’s wastewater also detected the presence of Covid-19, which is a stronger indicator of the fifth wave.

Source: Briefly News