12 Countries Confirm Monkeypox Case

Written By John Mutiso  📝

More cases of a rare disease have been reported worldwide, including in the United States — where one health official said he expects more cases in the days ahead.

As of Saturday, 92 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox were under investigation in 12 countries, the World Health Organization said in a news release.

Confirmed cases have been identified in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States — which had between one and five confirmed monkeypox cases as of Saturday, the WHO said.

“The situation is evolving and WHO expects there will be more cases of monkeypox identified as surveillance expands in non-endemic countries,” the news release said.

Health experts say close contact with an infected person is required to spread the monkeypox virus.

Infection can develop after exposure to “broken skin, mucous membranes, respiratory droplets, infected body fluids or even contact with contaminated linen,” according to Neil Mabbott, personal chair in immunopathology at the veterinary school of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Though experts say monkeypox is not as contagious as Covid-19, President Joe Biden said everyone should be concerned about the spread of monkeypox — even as scientists work to learn more about the recent spread.

“They haven’t told me the level of exposure yet, but it is something that everybody should be concerned about,” Biden said on Sunday.

Initial monkeypox symptoms are typically flu-like, such as fever, chills, exhaustion, headache and muscle weakness.

After that, a widespread rash typically appears on the face and body — including inside the mouth, on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The painful, raised poxes are pearly and fluid-filled, often surrounded by red circles. The lesions finally scab over and resolve over a period of two to three weeks, the CDC said.

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