The number of confirmed cases of monkeypox in the world was 219 this Wednesday (25), not counting the countries where the disease is endemic, according to a balance sheet by a health agency of the European Union (EU).
In total, 19 countries where the disease is not common, most of them in Europe, have reported at least one confirmed case, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) indicated in an epidemiological note released on Wednesday night.
“Most cases are young men, who identify as men who have sex with men. There are no deaths,” the Stockholm-based agency said.
Out of the 11 African countries where monkeypox is endemic, three countries currently concentrate the majority of registered cases: the United Kingdom (71), the first where unusual infections were detected in early May, Spain (51) and Portugal (37). ), according to the ECDC.
Europe has the most cases, with 191, of which 118 are in EU countries.
Canada (15), United States (9), Australia (2), Israel (1) and United Arab Emirates (1) are the non-European countries with infections.
Suspected cases without confirmation were not included in the balance sheet.
The total number of cases recorded by the ECDC has nearly quintupled since its first report on May 20, in which the agency reported 38 infections.
This Monday (23), in its first risk assessment, the ECDC found that the probability of contagion in the general population was “very low”, but that it was “high” for people with multiple sexual partners.
On the same day, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed an “atypical” situation, but considered it possible to stop the transmission of the disease between humans.
The disease, less dangerous than the smallpox eradicated about 40 years ago, is endemic in 11 countries in West and Central Africa. It usually translates into a strong fever and quickly progresses to a crusty rash.
Infection in initial cases is due to direct contact with blood, body fluids, skin lesions or mucous membranes of infected animals. According to the WHO, symptoms last between 14 and 21 days.
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