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• WHO said recent monkeypox outbreaks are unusual as they’re occurring in countries where the virus is not endemic
• More cases are expected to be reported in coming days as surveillance expands
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday confirmed about 80 cases of monkeypox, with recent outbreaks reported in 11 countries.
The outbreaks are unusual because they occur in countries where the virus is not endemic, the WHO report said.
The agency said other than the 80 confirmed cases, there are also 50 pending investigations, and more cases will likely be reported in the coming days as surveillance expands.
“WHO is working with the affected countries and others to expand disease surveillance to find and support people who may be affected, and to provide guidance on how to manage the disease,” the global health agency said in a press release.
Although monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus from the same family as smallpox, monkeypox is usually less severe than smallpox.
The virus spreads through close contact with people, animals or material infected with monkeypox.
Health-care workers, household members and sexual partners of the person who is infected by the virus are at greater risk, according to the WHO.
“As monkeypox spreads through close contact, the response should focus on the people affected and their close contacts,” the agency said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday confirmed a monkeypox case in Massachusetts. New York City is also investigating a possible monkeypox case, according to a health department statement Thursday.
Picture Credit: NBC News
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