By Michael Erman

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Global health officials are concerned about rising monkeypox cases across Europe and other parts of the world. This viral disease is more prevalent in central and west Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed at least 80 cases of monkeypox and is investigating 50 more in 11 other countries. Here’s what we know about the monkeypox epidemic and its relative risks:

IS THIS DANGEROUS?

At this moment, the risks to the public are low according to a U.S. health official who spoke out at Friday’s briefing.

A virus called Monkeypox can produce symptoms such as fever, aches, and an distinctive bumpy rash.

Although it is similar to smallpox and is often milder than the West African virus, that was discovered in an American case has a fatality ratio of about 1%. The official stated that most people are fully recovered in 2 to 4 weeks.

This virus is not as easily transmissible as the SARS/CoV-2 viruses that triggered the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

Experts suspect that the monkeypox epidemic is spread by close intimate skin-to skin contact. Experts believe this will make it easier to stop the spread of infection once they are detected.

The respiratory route is the most common way COVID can be spread and it’s highly contagious. “This does not appear to be true for monkeypox,” Dr. Martin Hirsch, Massachusetts General Hospital.

Most of those who are being diagnosed with monkeypox include men who have had sex, even cases that were linked in Spain to the Madrid sauna.

WHAT ARE HEALTH EXPERTS CONCERNED ABOUT?

These recent outbreaks, which have been reported in several countries, are apparently not typical, says the WHO. Scientists continue to investigate the source of these cases, and whether the virus’s characteristics have changed.

The majority of cases have been reported in Spain, Portugal and the UK. There are also reported cases from Australia and Canada. One case of monkeypox in Boston was also confirmed by public health officials.

WHO officials are concerned that infections may increase as people celebrate, party and holiday in Europe during the next summer.

HOW CAN A PEOPLE CONTAIN INFECTION?

UK began to immunize healthcare workers at risk when they care for smallpox patients. The vaccine can also prevent monkeypox. The U.S. Government claims it has sufficient smallpox vaccination in its Strategic National Stockpile to cover the whole U.S.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated that there are smallpox antiviral medications that can also be used in treating monkeypox.

Health officials advise that you avoid contact with anyone who may have a rash or is otherwise unwell. Anyone who suspects they might have monkeypox must be taken to a medical facility immediately.

What could be the reason for the spike in CASES

Angela Rasmussen is a virologist with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization of University of Saskatchewan, Canada. She said “Viruses were nothing new and not expected.”

Rasmussen stated that a variety of factors, including global travel and climate change, have contributed to the rapid spread and emergence of viruses. In the aftermath of the COVID epidemic, the world has become more alert for new viruses.