USA: The first cases of monkeypox in children have been confirmed

US health authorities have confirmed cases of monkeypox in children for the first time. They are a California toddler and a non-US resident infant, according to the official release.

The two cases are not related to each other and – according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – these are probably intra-familial infections. The two children are being treated and are doing well, the CDC said.

Monkey pox is a viral infection that has flu-like symptoms and causes skin rashes. It has spread among homosexuals outside of West and Central African countries, where it is endemic. It is mainly transmitted through close contact.

So far this year, more than 14,000 cases of monkeypox have been recorded in about 60 countries around the world, while five deaths have been reported on the African continent.

Dr. Jennifer McKeeston (CDC) said it is not surprising that cases have occurred in children, but there is currently no evidence of the virus spreading outside the gay or bisexual communities. It said 99% of the 2,891 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the US involved gay men, but there were a few women and transgender people who were infected.

The White House’s co-ordinator for the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Asish Tza, said that the US government has secured 300,000 doses of monkeypox vaccine and is trying to expedite the shipment of an additional 786,000 doses from Denmark.

The fatality rate in previous outbreaks in Africa has hovered around 1%, but is estimated to be even lower in countries where monkeypox is not endemic. However, many patients have reported being admitted to hospital with severe pain.

Dr. Tza said the US government is still evaluating whether the monkeypox outbreak should be declared a public health emergency.

RES-EMP

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