On August 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided an update on the number of positive cases of monkeypox worldwide. According to the institution, the infection seems to be slowing down in Europe and North America.
- According to the WHO, 50,496 cases of monkeypox have been recorded since the start of the epidemic.
- To eliminate the circulation of the virus, the WHO recommends maintaining surveillance measures, targeted vaccination, identification of contact cases and engagement with men who have sex with men, recommending in particular to limit the number of sexual partners.
In the space of a few months, monkey pox (Monkeypox) has spread to different countries around the world. This viral infection is mainly characterized by fever, muscle aches, lymph nodes and fatigue. A rash usually occurs a few days after contamination and may appear as papules and then pustules.
On August 31, the world health organization (WHO) presented its latest report listing all confirmed cases of monkeypox worldwide. According to the institution, 50,496 patients have been affected by monkeypox and 16 deaths have been recorded since the start of the epidemic last May.
A slowdown in infections
Before the start of the summer, a large spread of monkeypox had been reported in North America and Europe. But this surge in cases seems to be slowing down, as WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus told a press conference. “These signs confirm what we have been saying over and over since the beginning: with the right measures, this outbreak can be stopped.”he specified.
Since May, 18,100 cases of monkeypox have been reported in the United States. Despite the slowdown in the spread, the first death of a person with monkeypox was confirmed by Texas health authorities on August 30. However, this patient was very severely immunocompromised. “I believe further investigation is needed to determine what role monkeypox may or may not have played in his death.”, said Jennifer McQuiston, head of the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), during a press conference. Before adding:IIt is important to emphasize that dying from monkeypox remains very rare, although it is possible.”
No deaths reported in France
Regarding Europe, the WHO dashboard which lists all cases of smallpox has also revealed encouraging results, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany. With the right prevention and vaccination measures, “we don’t have to live with monkeypox,” completed Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus.
In France, 3,547 cases of monkey pox have been identified as of August 29, according to the latest update from Public Health France. “Among the cases for which information is available, 68 (3%) were hospitalized due to their Monkeypox virus infection, this proportion remains stable over time. No deaths have been reported to date”said the organization.
For the time being, the Ile-de-France region has the highest number of cases (2,176), followed by Occitanie (293), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (235) and Provence-Alpes-Côtes- of Azure (222). Around 20 confirmed cases reside overseas.
