Less than a day after the first recorded death in Europe of a patient infected with the disease, the Spanish Ministry of Health announced on Saturday the death of a person suffering from monkeypox.
- A total of 8 deaths have been recorded worldwide since May.
- Monkeypox results in an eruption of fluid-filled blisters on the body and mucous membranes accompanied by fever, swollen lymph nodes and sore throat.
Given the continued spread of monkeypox in Europe, we expect more deaths“said Catherine Smallwood, head of emergencies at WHO Europe, in a statement.
The epidemic is progressing
Indeed, the epidemic is progressing on a global scale with 22,717 cases recorded on the planet and has claimed its first victims outside Africa. In Europe, two men with monkeypox have died in Spain. The deaths occurred less than a day apart. One of the victims was a 31-year-old man.
According Andalusia’s regional health ministryhe reportedly suffered from encephalitis, a very severe inflammation of the brain, which is suspected to be linked to monkeypox. “The samples taken during the autopsy, which are being studied, will make it possible to determine whether the cause of death was meningoencephalitis or another pathology“the ministry said.
No information has yet been given on the second victim except that it would be a young man and studies are underway to have more“epidemiological information”.
1,955 cases
In addition to the two deaths, the Spanish government identified this Saturday, July 30, nearly 4,300 cases, including 120 hospitalizations. Spain is preceded by the United States (5,189 cases) and followed by the United Kingdom (2,367).
France has recorded 1,955 cases so far. “Mathematically, there will be severe evolutions of this infection in very immunocompromised people. Apart from these particular people, in general population, there is no reason to be worried“, tempers Professor Jean-Daniel Lelièvre, infectious disease specialist on France Info.
In France, the vaccination campaign is intensifying with 120 vaccination centers now open across the country.
