Washington: The US' Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Wednesday confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in an adult male with recent travel to Canada, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts said in a press release. According to the release, the initial testing was completed on late Tuesday at the State Public Health Laboratory in Jamaica Plain while the confirmatory testing was completed at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Currently, the Department of Public Health is closely working with the CDC, relevant local boards of health, and the patient's health care providers in order to identify the individuals who may have contacted the patient while he was infectious. According to the release, the case poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition. "Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash on the face and body. Most infections last 2-to-4 weeks. In parts of central and west Africa where monkeypox occurs, people can be exposed through bites or scratches from rodents and small mammals, preparing wild game, or having contact with an infected animal or possibly animal products," the statement reads. This virus does not spread easily between people but transmission can occour through the contact with the body fluids, monkeypox sores, items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (clothing, bedding, etc.), or through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.Earlier, no monkeypox cases have been identified in the US in 2022, while in Texas and Maryland, one case has been reported in 2021 in people with recent travel to Nigeria. While the United Kingdom has identified 9 cases of monkeypox, in early May 2022; the first case had recently traveled to Nigeria. None of the other cases have reported recent travel. UK health officials report that the most recent cases in the UK are in men who have sex with men. "Based on findings of the Massachusetts case and the recent cases in the UK, clinicians should consider a diagnosis of monkeypox in people who present with an otherwise unexplained rash and 1) traveled, in the last 30 days, to a country that has recently had confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox 2) report contact with a person or people with confirmed or suspected monkeypox, or 3) is a man who reports sexual contact with other men. This clinical guidance is consistent with recommendations from UK health officials and US federal health officials, based on identified cases," the statement reads. According to the statement, suspected cases may present with early flu-like symptoms and progress to lesions that may begin on one site on the body and spread to other parts and the illness could be clinically confused with a sexually transmitted infection like syphilis or herpes, or with varicella zoster virus.—ANI

The US' Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Wednesday confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in an adult male with recent travel to Canada, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts said in a press release.

US confirms first case of monkeypox

Washington: The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to convene an emergency meeting of experts to discuss the latest outbreak of monkeypox in wake of rapidly rising cases, according to Russian media.The meeting's agenda is believed to be the ways of the virus' transmission, its high prevalence in gays and bisexual men, as well as the situation with vaccines, Sputnik News Agency citing The Telegraph reported on Friday.Since early May, the cases of monkeypox have been witnessed in several countries across the world including the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Australia and Canada.On May 7, a case of monkeypox has been confirmed in England, in a patient who recently travelled from Nigeria, as per the UK Health Security Agency.On May 18, the US' Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in an adult male with recent travel to Canada.According to the release, the case poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition."Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash on the face and body. Most infections last 2-to-4 weeks. In parts of central and west Africa where monkeypox occurs, people can be exposed through bites or scratches from rodents and small mammals, preparing wild game, or having contact with an infected animal or possibly animal products," the statement reads.This virus does not spread easily between people but transmission can occur through contact with the body fluids, monkeypox sores, items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (clothing, bedding, etc.), or through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact. Earlier, no monkeypox cases have been identified in the US in 2022, while in Texas and Maryland, one case has been reported in 2021 in people with recent travel to Nigeria.While the United Kingdom has identified 9 cases of monkeypox, in early May 2022; the first case had recently traveled to Nigeria. None of the other cases have reported recent travel. UK health officials report that the most recent cases in the UK are in men who have sex with men."Based on findings of the Massachusetts case and the recent cases in the UK, clinicians should consider a diagnosis of monkeypox in people who present with an otherwise unexplained rash and 1) traveled, in the last 30 days, to a country that has recently had confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox 2) report contact with a person or people with confirmed or suspected monkeypox, or 3) is a man who reports sexual contact with other men. This clinical guidance is consistent with recommendations from UK health officials and US federal health officials, based on identified cases," the statement reads.According to the statement, suspected cases may present with early flu-like symptoms and progress to lesions that may begin on one site on the body and spread to other parts and the illness could be clinically confused with a sexually transmitted infection like syphilis or herpes, or with varicella zoster virus. —ANI

The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to convene an emergency meeting of experts to discuss the latest outbreak of monkeypox in wake of rapidly rising cases, according to Russian media.

WHO To Convene Emergency Meeting Over Monkeypox Outbreak

London: More than 80 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in at least 12 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced. The WHO said another 50 suspected cases are being investigated, without naming any countries, and warned that more cases are likely to be reported. Infections have been confirmed in nine European countries, as well as the US, Canada and Australia, the BBC reported citing the global health body as saying.Monkeypox is most common in remote parts of Central and West Africa.It is a rare viral infection which is usually mild and from which most people recover in a few weeks, according to the UK's National Health Service. The virus does not spread easily between people and the risk to the wider public is said to be very low. There is no specific vaccine for monkeypox, but a smallpox jab offers 85 per cent protection since the two viruses are quite similar, BBC reported. So far, public health agencies in Europe have confirmed cases in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden. The WHO said on Friday that the recent outbreaks "are atypical, as they are occurring in non-endemic countries". It said it was "working with the affected countries and others to expand disease surveillance to find and support people who may be affected".The WHO also warned against stigmatising groups because of the disease, the BBC reported. "It can be a barrier to ending an outbreak as it may prevent people from seeking care, and lead to undetected spread," it said. WHO's Europe regional director Hans Kluge warned that "as we enter the summer season with mass gatherings, festivals and parties, I am concerned that transmission could accelerate". He added that all but one of the recent cases had no relevant travel history to areas where monkeypox was endemic.—IANS

More than 80 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in at least 12 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced.

Monkeypox cases confirmed in 12 countries

Dhaka: Amid rising cases of monkeypox across the world, Bangladesh has declared a health alert to curb the latest outbreak of the disease. However, no cases have been reported in the country so far, Xinhua News Agency on Sunday reported citing a health official. "No monkeypox case has been reported in Bangladesh yet, but we've made the declaration in order to check any eventuality," the official from the health ministry said.According to the official, the initial measures will involve monkeypox screening of all incoming passengers from countries where cases have been detected. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 80 cases of monkeypox in 11 countries and said they are working to better understand the extent and cause of the outbreak. In a statement issued on Friday, the WHO said the virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers. "WHO and partners are working to better understand the extent and cause of an outbreak of monkeypox. The virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers. The recent outbreaks reported across 11 countries so far are atypical, as they are occurring in non-endemic countries," the WHO said in a statement.Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms very similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. According to WHO, Monkeypox typically presents clinically with fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications. Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks.—ANI

Amid rising cases of monkeypox across the world, Bangladesh has declared a health alert to curb the latest outbreak of the disease.

Bangladesh declares health alert amid monkeypox outbreak

Mumbai: In the wake of monkeypox cases reported from some countries, the Mumbai civic body has kept a 28-bed ward ready at the Kasturba Hospital in&nbsp;Mumbai for the isolation of suspected patients, officials said on Monday. As on date, there has been no report of any suspected or confirmed case of Monkeypox in Mumbai, an official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) public health department said.In an advisory issued about the viral zoonotic disease, the BMC said airport authorities are screening passengers coming from the endemic and non-endemic countries showing outbreaks. "For the isolation of suspected cases, a separate ward (28 beds) has been prepared at the Kasturba Hospital and their samples will be sent for testing to the Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV)," the civic body's advisory said. All health facilities in Mumbai have been informed to notify and refer any suspected Monkeypox case to the Kasturba Hospital, it said.As per BMC's advisory, Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease which occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.'Monkeypox typically presents clinically with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications,' it stated.It is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting from two to four weeks. Severe cases can occur and the case fatality rate may vary from 1-10 per cent, the BMC said.The disease can be transmitted from animals to humans as well as human-to- human.'The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth),' the advisory stated.The animal-to-human transmission may occur by a bite or scratch, bushmeat (of wild animals) preparations, direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, or indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated bedding, it said.The human-to-human transmission is thought to occur primarily through largerespiratory droplets generally requiring prolonged close contact.Besides, it can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens of an infected person, the BMC informed. Monkeypox has an incubation period usually of 7 to 14 days, but can range from 5-21 days and the person is usually not contagious during this period.'An infected person may transmit the disease from 1-2 days before appearance of the rash and remain contagious till all the scabs fall off,' the advisory said.—PTI

In the wake of monkeypox cases reported from some countries, the Mumbai civic body has kept a 28-bed ward ready at the Kasturba Hospital in Mumbai for the isolation of suspected patients, officials said on Monday.

Monkeypox threat: BMC readies isolation ward, issues advisory

Brussels: Belgium has become the first country to make the 21-day quarantine compulsory for the monkeypox patients after four cases of the disease have been reported last week.The Belgian health authorities took this decision on Friday, Saudi Gazette reported citing Belgian media.Monkeypox is a disease in the same family as smallpox and symptoms include a distinct bumpy rash, a fever, sore muscles and a headache. Monkeypox is less deadly than smallpox, with a mortality rate below 4 per cent, but experts are worried about the unusual spread of the disease beyond Africa where it usually circulates.The Belgian Institute of Tropical Medicine has said that the risk of a larger outbreak in the country is low, according to Saudi Gazette citing Belgian daily Le Soir.Taking to Twitter, the microbiologist Emmanuel Andre, who is in charge of the National Reference lab for COVID-19 in Belgium on Saturday, said that the fourth case has been confirmed in the country."This patient is being treated in Wallonia and is linked to the Antwerp event in which two other people were infected," he tweeted referring to a festival in the port city held in May. Meanwhile, on Saturday, the World Health Organization reported that there were a total of 92 confirmed cases in 12 different countries, with 28 suspected cases under investigation. Cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the UK, Portugal, Sweden, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, the US, Canada and Australia, as reported by Saudi Gazette.On May 7, a case of monkeypox has been confirmed in England, in a patient who recently travelled from Nigeria, as per the UK Health Security Agency.On May 18, the US Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in an adult male with recent travel to Canada.&nbsp;—ANI

Belgium has become the first country to make the 21-day quarantine compulsory for the monkeypox patients after four cases of the disease have been reported last week.

Belgium Become First Country To Introduce Compulsory Monkeypox Quarantine

Belgium has become the first country to make the 21-day quarantine compulsory for the monkeypox patients after four cases of the disease have been reported last week.



The Hague: The number of monkeypox cases in humans rose to six in the Netherlands, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has announced. The first human case of monkeypox in the Netherlands was confirmed last Friday. The RIVM and the Erasmus University Medical Center are analysing new samples to ensure rapid detection of any new cases and to reduce the chances of further spread, Xinhua news agency reported."Some of the people infected attended the Darkland festival in Belgium," the RIVM said. "All cases involve men who have sex with men, though this does not mean that the virus can, or can only, be spread through sexual contact or that the virus cannot spread beyond this group of people." The RIVM asks high-risk contacts, such as sexual contacts or housemates, with whom an infected person has had skin-to-skin contact, to self-isolate. Vaccination will only be offered at the Municipal Health Service (GGD) to people with a high risk of infection.—IANS

The number of monkeypox cases in humans rose to six in the Netherlands, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has announced.

Monkeypox cases rise to 6 in Netherlands

New Delhi: With several countries reporting monkeypox cases, the Union health ministry has advised all states to direct hospitals to watch out for symptomatic patients who have travelled to these countries recently and isolate them at designated healthcare facilities. According to sources, so far only one traveller from Canada having symptoms of monkeypox infection had been isolated.However, samples collected from the passenger turned out negative for the infection following test conducted at the National Institute of Virology in Pune. They refrained from divulging the name of the airport where the passenger had landed.The ministry recently had asked health officials at airports and ports to step up surveillance and isolate symptomatic travellers from monkeypox-affected countries and send their samples to the NIV for investigation."The incubation period is usually 7-14 days but can range from 5-21 days and during that time there are mostly no symptoms. The aim is to detect those persons who were missed during the screening at the airport due to lack of symptoms at health facilities after they manifest the symptoms," an official explained.Monkeypox cases have been reported from Britain, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Canada and the US, among others.The health ministry, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Centre for Disease Control, is framing comprehensive guidelines for the treatment and prevention of monkeypox.In the interim advisory to all states and union territories recently, the ministry said that health facilities should keep heightened suspicion on people who "present with an otherwise unexplained rash and who have travelled, in the last 21 days, to a country that has recently had confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox or report contact with a person or people with confirmed or suspected monkeypox."All suspected cases should be reported to the District Surveillance Officer of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.The advisory recommends sending laboratory samples consisting of fluid from vesicles, blood, sputum, etc. to the NIV in Pune for monkeypox testing in case of suspicion.In case a positive case is detected, contact tracing has to be initiated immediately to identify the contacts of the patient in the last 21 days, the advisory stated.According to the advisory, monkeypox can be transmitted from animal to humans as well as human to human. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).Human-to-human transmission is thought to occur primarily through large respiratory droplets generally requiring a prolonged close contact.It can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens of an infected person.The clinical presentation of monkeypox resembles that of smallpox, a related orthopoxvirus infection which was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980.Monkeypox is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness.—PTI

With several countries reporting monkeypox cases, the Union health ministry has advised all states to direct hospitals to watch out for symptomatic patients who have travelled to these countries recently and isolate them at designated healthcare facilities.

Centre asks states to keep suspected monkeypox cases in isolation

New Delhi: The monkeypox virus has spread to more than 20 countries, with about 200 confirmed cases and over 100 suspected cases in nations where it is typically not found, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. The global health body has urged nations to increase surveillance of the infectious disease as outbreaks grow. According to Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s Covid-19 technical lead, more cases of the rare viral illness will likely be reported as surveillance expands, but added that the recent spread is containable, CNBC reported.“We expect more cases to be detected. We are asking countries to increase surveillance,” Van Kerkhove said during a Q&amp;A on the global health agency’s social media platforms. “This is a containable situation. It will be difficult, but it’s a containable situation in non-endemic countries.” Since the first reported case on May 7, from the UK, monkeypox has spread to North America and Europe in recent weeks. The outbreak is driven by a milder West African strain of the virus and most patients recover in a few weeks.No deaths have been reported so far. As per the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Union (EU) has confirmed 118 cases of monkeypox. Spain and Portugal have reported the largest outbreaks in the EU with 51 and 37 cases, respectively.The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed 90 cases of the virus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified nine cases across seven states, while Canadian health officials have confirmed 16 cases of monkeypox, all detected in the province of Quebec, the report said. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky noted that some patients in the US haven’t travelled to countries with active outbreaks, suggesting that the virus is spreading domestically. Health officials in these countries have said a majority the patients are gay or bisexual men, with the virus spreading in many cases through sex. However, the officials emphasised that monkeypox can spread to anyone through close physical contact regardless of sexual orientation. But, monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease. The virus can spread through any kind of sustained skin-to-skin contact with an infected person who has a lesion.It can also spread through body fluids, contaminated bed sheets and clothing, or respiratory droplets if a person has a lesion in their mouth. Van Kerhkove suggested health-care professionals to consider monkeypox a diagnosis for patients with rash illnesses that present at sexual health clinics, emergency departments, infectious disease clinics, primary-care physicians and dermatologists, the report said. “It doesn’t mean that anyone with a rash will have monkeypox but we need to raise awareness about what monkeypox is and isn’t, and we need to ensure that countries have the capacity to test and provide the right information.”—IANS

The monkeypox virus has spread to more than 20 countries, with about 200 confirmed cases and over 100 suspected cases in nations where it is typically not found, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

Monkeypox Spreads To More Than 20 Countries: WHO

New Delhi: The monkeypox virus has spread to more than 20 countries, with about 200 confirmed cases and over 100 suspected cases in nations where it is typically not found, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.The global health body has urged nations to increase surveillance of the infectious disease as outbreaks grow.According to Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's Covid-19 technical lead, more cases of the rare viral illness will likely be reported as surveillance expands, but added that the recent spread is containable, CNBC reported."We expect more cases to be detected. We are asking countries to increase surveillance," Van Kerkhove said during a Q&amp;A on the global health agency's social media platforms. "This is a containable situation. It will be difficult, but it's a containable situation in non-endemic countries."Since the first reported case on May 7, from the UK, monkeypox has spread to North America and Europe in recent weeks. The outbreak is driven by a milder West African strain of the virus and most patients recover in a few weeks.No deaths have been reported so far.As per the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Union (EU) has confirmed 118 cases of monkeypox. Spain and Portugal have reported the largest outbreaks in the EU with 51 and 37 cases, respectively.The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed 90 cases of the virus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified nine cases across seven states, while Canadian health officials have confirmed 16 cases of monkeypox, all detected in the province of Quebec, the report said.CDC Director Rochelle Walensky noted that some patients in the US haven't travelled to countries with active outbreaks, suggesting that the virus is spreading domestically.Health officials in these countries have said a majority the patients are gay or bisexual men, with the virus spreading in many cases through sex.However, the officials emphasised that monkeypox can spread to anyone through close physical contact regardless of sexual orientation.But, monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease. The virus can spread through any kind of sustained skin-to-skin contact with an infected person who has a lesion.It can also spread through body fluids, contaminated bed sheets and clothing, or respiratory droplets if a person has a lesion in their mouth.Van Kerhkove suggested health-care professionals to consider monkeypox a diagnosis for patients with rash illnesses that present at sexual health clinics, emergency departments, infectious disease clinics, primary-care physicians and dermatologists, the report said. "It doesn't mean that anyone with a rash will have monkeypox but we need to raise awareness about what monkeypox is and isn't, and we need to ensure that countries have the capacity to test and provide the right information." —IANS

Islamabad:&nbsp;Amid the rising risk of a monkeypox outbreak in Pakistan, the Pakistan Health ministry on Saturday said that the country has no facility for diagnostic tests for the virus. The officials of the federal health ministry said that there are no cases of monkeypox reported in the country yet, however, in the case of an outbreak, the samples can be sent abroad for testing, Geo TV reported."The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Islamabad clarifies that NO case of Monkeypox has yet been diagnosed in Pakistan. The news circulating on social media about monkeypox cases is incorrect. The situation is being closely monitored by the health authorities," NIH wrote on Twitter. The ministry further said that the government is trying to procure the testing kits for the National Institute of Health, Islamabad (NIH). They further stated that Aga Khan University and other health organisations are also trying to procure the testing kits, Geo TV reported.The officials said that given the circumstances, the health experts can declare a patient as a suspected case by examining the symptoms. The monkeypox virus is tested through a PCR machine similar to the diagnostic tests for COVID-19, Geo TV reported citing the health experts.Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation on Friday issued a warning against the disease and said that countries should take the right measures to contain Monkeypox cases easily and also share data about their vaccine stockpiles. Sylvie Briand, WHO director for Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness said that the extent of the disease is uncertain. On the risk to the community spread, she said, "We are afraid that it will be spread in the community but currently it is very hard to assess this risk.""There is also much uncertainty about the future and this disease because we don't know if this transmission will stop. What we have seen in endemic countries as usually we have self-limiting outbreaks, and so we hope it will be exactly the same with the current one," she added. According to WHO, Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease and typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. It may be severe in children, pregnant women or persons with immune suppression due to other conditions. The incubation period is usually 6 to 13 days but it can be longer from 5 to 21 days.Typical symptoms include fever headache, muscle ache backache and fatigue and swollen lymph nodes and then it's followed by skin rashes and or lesions.—PTI

Amid the rising risk of a monkeypox outbreak in Pakistan, the Pakistan Health ministry on Saturday said that the country has no facility for diagnostic tests for the virus. The officials of the federal health ministry said that there are no cases of monkeypox reported in the country yet, however, in the case of an outbreak, the samples can be sent abroad for testing, Geo TV reported.

No diagnostic facility in Pakistan to detect Monkeypox

Geneva: The World Health Organization said on Sunday that the sudden appearance of monkeypox at once in several countries where the disease is not typically found suggests undetected transmission for some time and recent amplifying events.As of May 26, a total of 257 confirmed cases and 120 suspected cases have been reported from 23 member states that are not endemic for the virus, WHO said in a statement. The agency added that it expects more cases to be reported as surveillance in endemic and non-endemic countries expands.Monkeypox is an infectious disease that is usually mild, and is endemic in parts of west and central Africa. It is spread by close contact, so it can be relatively easily contained through measures such as self-isolation and hygiene. Most of the cases reported so far have been detected in the UK, Spain and Portugal. "The vast majority of reported cases so far have no established travel links to an endemic area and have presented through primary care or sexual health services," the UN agency said.—REUTERS

The World Health Organization said on Sunday that the sudden appearance of monkeypox at once in several countries where the disease is not typically found suggests undetected transmission for some time and recent amplifying events.

'Monkeypox in non-endemic countries suggests undetected transmission'

London:&nbsp;The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected 71 new human cases of monkeypox in the country, local media reported on Monday. All of the new cases have been identified in England, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the UK since May 7 to 179. Earlier, the UK Health Agency said that despite new cases, the risk to the population remains low. However, the health agency has advised those in contact with the cases to self-isolate for 21 days.In addition, the UKHSA has stocked a safe smallpox vaccine and is offering it to human close contacts diagnosed with monkeypox to reduce the risk of symptomatic infection and severe illness.Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms very similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. It is caused by the monkeypox virus which belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. onkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding. The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.—ANI

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected 71 new human cases of monkeypox in the country, local media reported on Monday. All of the new cases have been identified in England, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the UK since May 7 to 179

71 cases of monkeypox reported in UK; health officials on high alert

Budapest: Hungarian health authorities have confirmed the country's first case of monkeypox in a 38-year-old man. The disease does not spread easily, only through close contact, said the chief medical officer Cecilia Muller in a press conference on Tuesday. The disease lasts for two to four weeks and can spread more easily in immuno-compromised patients and pregnant women, she was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying. Muller noted that the infected have to be isolated during their convalescence. "We need to pay attention to these cases, to set up an early diagnosis. We need to follow the symptoms. If anyone has a suspicion of illness, please go see a doctor," she said.While monkeypox is primarily found in the tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa, it has been increasingly identified in non-endemic countries. The World Health Organization has confirmed that there are 257 confirmed monkeypox cases and 120 suspected cases in 23 countries where the virus is not endemic. The WHO warned on Tuesday that the potential for further transmission in Europe and elsewhere this summer is high.—IANS

Hungarian health authorities have confirmed the country's first case of monkeypox in a 38-year-old man. The disease does not spread easily, only through close contact, said the chief medical officer Cecilia Muller in a press conference on Tuesday.

1st case of monkeypox confirmed in Hungary

Copenhagen: The WHO has said that it aimed to contain the monkeypox outbreak by stopping human transmission to the maximum extent possible, warning that the potential for further transmission in Europe and elsewhere this summer is high.In a statement, the WHO on Tuesday added that its European Region "remained at the epicenter of the largest and most geographically widespread monkeypox outbreak ever reported outside of endemic areas in western and central Africa".Responding to the rise in cases of monkeypox throughout Europe over the past two weeks, WHO's Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge outlined the steps required to "rapidly investigate and control this fast-evolving situation".The WHO European office is concerned that the recent lifting of pandemic restrictions on international travel and events could act as a catalyst for rapid transmission, Xinhua news agency reported."Monkeypox has already spread against the backdrop of several mass gatherings in the region. Over the coming months, many of the dozens of festivals and large parties planned provide further contexts where amplification may occur," Kluge said in the statement."The potential for further transmission in Europe and elsewhere over the summer is high."He urged the strengthening of "cross-country collaboration and information-sharing mechanisms, heightened surveillance, and community communication" to prevent misinformation from being "amplified online and through other sources, leading to negative public health outcomes"."Our goal is to contain this outbreak by stopping human-to-human transmission to the maximum extent possible," the WHO Regional Director added, calling on efforts to increase awareness of monkeypox and share information on how people can reduce their risk of exposure.The extensive measures used to combat Covid-19 are not required to tackle monkeypox in Europe, he said, "because the virus does not spread in the same way."On Tuesday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the country has recorded 190 confirmed monkeypox cases since May 7.According to UKHSA, the risk to the UK population remains low, but the agency "is asking people to be alert to any new rashes or lesions, which would appear like spots, ulcers or blisters, on any part of their body". —IANS

The WHO has said that it aimed to contain the monkeypox outbreak by stopping human transmission to the maximum extent possible, warning that the potential for further transmission in Europe and elsewhere this summer is high.

WHO Warns Of Further Transmission Of Monkeypox Over Summer

Geneva: Thirty non-endemic countries have reported more than 550 confirmed cases of monkeypox, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.“Investigations are ongoing, but the sudden appearance of monkeypox in many countries at the same time suggests there may have been undetected transmission for some time,” Tedros told journalists at WHO’s Geneva headquarters on Wednesday. With most reported cases have been among sexual encounters between men, those communities are working to inform their members of risks and preventative action that can be taken. “But all of us must work hard to fight stigma, which is not just wrong, it could also prevent infected individuals from seeking care, making it harder to stop transmission,” warned the WHO chief, urging affected countries to widen their surveillance to the broader community. Anyone risks infection if they have close physical contact with someone who has Monkeypox. Tedros noted that as the situation is evolving, WHO expects more cases to be found. “It’s important to remember that generally, Monkeypox symptoms resolve on their own, but can be severe in some cases,” he added.WHO continues to receive updates on the status of ongoing Monkeypox outbreaks in African countries where the disease is endemic. The top WHO official outlined his priorities to provide accurate information to those most at-risk; prevent further spread among those at high risk; protect frontline health workers; and advance “our understanding” of the disease, said UN in its press release.In view of the increasing reports of Monkeypox (MPX) cases in non-endemic countries, India’s Health Ministry on Tuesday acted proactively and issued ‘Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease’ to ensure advance preparedness across the country. “There are no reported cases of monkeypox disease in India, as of date,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.As per the guidelines, a confirmed case is laboratory confirmed for monkeypox virus by detection of unique sequences of viral DNA either by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or sequencing.“All the clinical specimens should be transported to the Apex Laboratory of ICMR-NIV (Pune) routed through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network of the respective district/state,” it said in the guidelines. The Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease include the epidemiology of the disease (including host, incubation period, period of communicability, and mode of transmission; contact and case definitions; clinical features and its complication, diagnosis, case management, risk communication, guidance on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) including use of personal protective equipment.“The guidelines stress surveillance and rapid identification of new cases as the key public health measures for outbreak containment, mandating the need to reduce the risk of human-to-human transmission. It explains the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, IPC at home, patient isolation and ambulance transfer strategies, additional precautions that need to be taken care of, and duration of isolation procedures,” the statement reads. As per the guidelines, contacts should be monitored at least daily for the onset of signs/symptoms for a period of 21 days from the last contact with a patient or their contaminated materials during the infectious period. Raising awareness of risk factors, the guidelines further explain in detail about raising awareness and educating people about the measures for Monkeypox virus-like avoiding contact with any material of the sick person, isolation of the infected patient from others, practicing good hand hygiene, and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients. The Ministry further said that the Monkeypox has been reported as endemic in several other central and western African countries such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone. However, cases have been also reported in certain non-endemic countries e.g. USA, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Austria, Israel, Switzerland, etc.—ANI

Thirty non-endemic countries have reported more than 550 confirmed cases of monkeypox, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

More than 550 confirmed monkeypox cases reported: UN

New Delhi:&nbsp;After claiming that the monkeypox infections, now spread to about 30 countries with more than 550 confirmed cases, can be contained, the World Health Organisation has admitted that it is not sure whether the virus can be kept in check.WHO officials, had earlier, stated that the monkeypox outbreak "is a containable situation", and "collectively, the world has an opportunity to stop this outbreak. There is a window".However, now, Dr Hans Kluge, head of the WHO's Europe office, said "we do not yet know if we will be able to contain its spread completely".He said that although the monkeypox response should not mimic the scale of Covid-style restrictions, health authorities do need to take "significant and urgent" action to mitigate the threat.According to Kluge, Europe remains at the epicentre of the largest and most geographically widespread monkeypox outbreak ever reported outside of endemic areas in western and central Africa. The learning curve has been steep over the past two weeks."We now have a critical opportunity to act quickly, together, to rapidly investigate and control this fast-evolving situation," he said.Based on the case reports to date, the current outbreak is being transmitted through social networks connected largely through sexual activity, primarily involving men who have sex with men. Many -- but not all cases -- also report fleeting and/or multiple sexual partners, sometimes associated with large events or parties.However, it isn't clear yet as to "whether the monkeypox virus can also spread from one person to another through semen or vaginal fluids". There is also no clarity on "whether the virus could persist in these bodily fluids for longer periods of time", Kluge said.While the first case was reported from the UK on May 7, he noted it may have been circulating since mid-April."Even as new patients present every day, investigations into past cases show that the outbreak in our region was certainly underway as early as mid-April," Kluge said. This was also reiterated by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who said the monkeypox virus may be spreading "undetected"."The sudden appearance of monkeypox in many countries at the same time suggests there may have been undetected transmission for some time," Ghebreyesus said. The virus may have been transmitted for months or years undetected though investigations are ongoing and there are clear no answers yet, he added.In Europe, the transmission has been linked to recent raves, parties, and adult saunas."The potential for further transmission in Europe and elsewhere over the summer is high," Kluge warned. "Over the coming months, many of the dozens of festivals and large parties planned provide further contexts where amplification may occur." He emphasised the need to actively engage community groups and leaders and civil society organisations to increase awareness on how people can reduce their risk of exposure, and also urged people to reduce the number of sexual partners they have. However, Kluge warned against stigmatising the LGBTQ+ community. —IANS

After claiming that the monkeypox infections, now spread to about 30 countries with more than 550 confirmed cases, can be contained, the World Health Organisation has admitted that it is not sure whether the virus can be kept in check.

WHO Does A U-Turn On Monkeypox, Says Unsure Whether It Can Be Contained

Geneva: Thirty non-endemic countries have reported more than 550 confirmed cases of monkeypox, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said."Investigations are ongoing, but the sudden appearance of monkeypox in many countries at the same time suggests there may have been undetected transmission for some time," Tedros told journalists at WHO's Geneva headquarters on Wednesday. With most reported cases have been among sexual encounters between men, those communities are working to inform their members of risks and preventative action that can be taken."But all of us must work hard to fight stigma, which is not just wrong, it could also prevent infected individuals from seeking care, making it harder to stop transmission," warned the WHO chief, urging affected countries to widen their surveillance to the broader community.Anyone risks infection if they have close physical contact with someone who has Monkeypox. Tedros noted that as the situation is evolving, WHO expects more cases to be found. "It's important to remember that generally, Monkeypox symptoms resolve on their own, but can be severe in some cases," he added.WHO continues to receive updates on the status of ongoing Monkeypox outbreaks in African countries where the disease is endemic.The top WHO official outlined his priorities to provide accurate information to those most at-risk; prevent further spread among those at high risk; protect frontline health workers; and advance "our understanding" of the disease, said UN in its press release.In view of the increasing reports of Monkeypox (MPX) cases in non-endemic countries, India's Health Ministry on Tuesday acted proactively and issued 'Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease' to ensure advance preparedness across the country."There are no reported cases of monkeypox disease in India, as of date," the Health Ministry said in a statement. As per the guidelines, a confirmed case is laboratory confirmed for monkeypox virus by detection of unique sequences of viral DNA either by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or sequencing."All the clinical specimens should be transported to the Apex Laboratory of ICMR-NIV (Pune) routed through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network of the respective district/state," it said in the guidelines.The Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease include the epidemiology of the disease (including host, incubation period, period of communicability, and mode of transmission; contact and case definitions; clinical features and its complication, diagnosis, case management, risk communication, guidance on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) including use of personal protective equipment."The guidelines stress surveillance and rapid identification of new cases as the key public health measures for outbreak containment, mandating the need to reduce the risk of human-to-human transmission. It explains the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, IPC at home, patient isolation and ambulance transfer strategies, additional precautions that need to be taken care of, and duration of isolation procedures," the statement reads.As per the guidelines, contacts should be monitored at least daily for the onset of signs/symptoms for a period of 21 days from the last contact with a patient or their contaminated materials during the infectious period.Raising awareness of risk factors, the guidelines further explain in detail about raising awareness and educating people about the measures for Monkeypox virus-like avoiding contact with any material of the sick person, isolation of the infected patient from others, practicing good hand hygiene, and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients.The Ministry further said that the Monkeypox has been reported as endemic in several other central and western African countries such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone. However, cases have been also reported in certain non-endemic countries e.g. USA, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Austria, Israel, Switzerland, etc.&nbsp;—ANI

More Than 550 Confirmed Monkeypox Cases Reported: UN

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu health department has written to directors of all the international airports in the state to isolate overseas travellers with monkeypox symptoms. In a letter to the directors of the airports in Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchi, Salem, Madurai, and Tuticorin, the department said that travellers landing from international destinations with symptoms like fever, headache, muscle ache, or exhaustion must be isolated and their samples taken for testingThe Director of Health Services in the letter said that these samples, such as fluids in vesicles, blood, and sputum, would be sent to the ICMR-NIV laboratory in Pune through the state public health laboratory for PCR tests. The department called upon the deputy directors of health in all districts of the state to ensure that strict protocols are followed for the isolated people once they reach home. While India has not reported any monkeypox cases as of now, countries like the US, Australia, Canada, and Europe have reported the virus.The department has called upon the health workers to be prepared to deal with the monkeypox disease and to gather proper information on its treatment and prognosis.—IANS

The Tamil Nadu health department has written to directors of all the international airports in the state to isolate overseas travellers with monkeypox symptoms.

Tamil Nadu, Congress, Caste Census, K. V. Thangkabalu

The Hague (Netherlands): The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Thursday said the current monkeypox outbreak in Europe is "not a public health emergency" presently.Marco Cavaleri, the EMA's head of biological health threats and vaccines strategy, said the risk for the general population to contract the disease is low and no massive surge in cases is foreseen even if an increase of cases will likely occur."The focus should remain on the identification, monitoring and management of new cases (of monkeypox)," Xinhua quoted Cavaleri as saying.Cavaleri said the monkeypox outbreak is "unusual, including the large geographical spread," but "most patients had mild symptoms and recovered without needing treatments."The EMA is acting out of precaution to ensure options for prevention and treatment if needed, he said.On Wednesday, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said thirty non-endemic countries have reported more than 550 confirmed cases of monkeypox."Investigations are ongoing, but the sudden appearance of monkeypox in many countries at the same time suggests there may have been undetected transmission for some time," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists at WHO's Geneva headquarters.With most reported cases having been among sexual encounters between men, those communities are working to inform their members of risks and preventative action that can be taken. "But all of us must work hard to fight stigma, which is not just wrong, it could also prevent infected individuals from seeking care, making it harder to stop transmission," warned the WHO chief, urging affected countries to widen their surveillance to the broader community.&nbsp;—ANI

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Thursday said the current monkeypox outbreak in Europe is "not a public health emergency" presently.

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