Monkeypox cases rise to 3,200, WHO calls for transparency

The WHO (World Health Organization) called this Thursday (23) for vigilance and transparency in the face of the monkeypox outbreak, which has now totaled more than 3,200 cases.

The organization brought together experts from several countries to determine whether or not the situation constitutes an “international public health emergency”, as is the case with the Covid-19 pandemic. But no decision should be taken before Friday (24).

“WHO urges all Member States to share information with us,” Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the meeting. “In other epidemics, we have sometimes seen the consequences of countries not being transparent, not sharing information,” he added.

Since May, there has been an unusual upsurge in monkeypox cases outside Central and West African countries, and Europe is at the center of the virus’s spread.

Tedros explained that just over six weeks ago, the WHO was informed of the detection of three cases of monkeypox in the UK, in people who had not recently traveled outside the country.

“Since then, more than 3,200 cases have been confirmed (…) and one death, in 48 countries. In addition, so far this year, about 1,500 suspected cases have been reported (…) and about 70 deaths in Central Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Cameroon”, he added. “We need all countries to remain vigilant.”

Known in humans since 1970, monkeypox is a disease considered rare and less dangerous and contagious than smallpox, eradicated in 1980.

Symptoms include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and lack of energy. Then there are eruptions on the face, palms and soles of the feet, in addition to lesions, pustules and, finally, crusts. It usually heals in about three weeks.

The WHO considers it likely that there are many more cases than reported and assesses that the virus must have been circulating before the current outbreak – perhaps since 2017 – without its transmission having been detected.