Jennifer Rigby

LONDON, (Reuters) – A handful of cases have been reported of monkeypox in Britain and Spain, as well as suspicions of the same in America.

Because the viral disease spreads by close contact, was discovered first in monkeys and is very rarely spread elsewhere, alarming outbreaks have been reported.

This is what the scientists are able to tell us so far.

‘HIGHLY UNUSUAL’

The Monkeypox virus causes an unusual bumpy rash and fever. It is usually mild, although there are two main strains: the Congo strain, which is more severe – with up to 10% mortality – and the West African strain, which has a fatality rate in about 1% of cases. It has been identified as the West African-derived strain in cases reported from the UK.

It has been rare for cases to be exported in the past. It’s only occurred eight times in previous years,” Jimmy Whitworth of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said.

Portugal already has five cases confirmed, while Spain currently tests 23 cases. None of the countries have reported cases in the past.

A second case has been reported from the United States.

TRANSMISSION

It spreads by close contact. There are spillovers between animals, but less often, humans. The virus was discovered in monkeys for the first time in 1958. Rodents, however, are the most likely main host.

This time, experts are baffled because many of the cases from the United Kingdom — nine at the May 18 deadline – do not have any known connections. Only one case was reported in May 6. It had just traveled to Nigeria.

Experts warn of a wider spread of transmission in cases that have not been reported.

UK Health Security Agency alerted that most recent cases occurred among gay men and bisexual men.

The World Health Organization (WHO), this week, announced that scientists are currently performing genomic sequencing in order to determine if there are any viruses linked.

Why now?

Increased travel due to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions could be one reason for this rise in cases.

Whitworth stated, “My theory is that it’s abundant in central Africa and west Africa. Travel has resumed and that’s why there are more cases.”

Although it can cause more serious illnesses than smallpox, Monkeypox alerts virologists.

In 1980 smallpox was completely eradicated through vaccination. The vaccine has been gradually phased out. It also protects against monkeypox. According to Anne Rimoin (an epidemiology professor at UCLA), the slowing down of vaccine campaigns has resulted in a rise in monkeypox in places where it is still endemic.

According to her, it was crucial that the cases be investigated immediately as they could indicate a new way of spreading the virus or an alteration in its nature. However, this must all be confirmed.

Experts told people not to panic.

“This isn’t going to cause a nationwide epidemic like COVID did, but it’s a serious outbreak of a serious disease – and we should take it seriously,” said Whitworth.