The number of monkeypox cases in Europe has tripled in the past two weeks. The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on European countries to act quickly. Virologist Mark van Ranst agrees that there are many infections, but the nuances: “In Europe there are no deaths, unlike West Africa and Central Africa.”
NDBG
Last updated:
12:24
source:
AP
The virus has now been diagnosed in 31 European countries and territories. Six countries and territories have been added in the past two weeks, according to the World Health Organization.
In total, there are more than 4,500 European cases of monkeypox virus, which usually occurs only in Africa. The vast majority of infections have been identified in the UK. For Belgium, the counter is 118 in the Netherlands, and the virus has now been diagnosed in 288 people.
“Today (Friday, editor) I reinforce my appeal to governments and society to do more in the coming weeks and months to prevent monkeypox from settling in a growing geographic area,” said Hans Kluge, WHO Director for Europe. According to him, urgent and coordinated measures are needed to turn the tide.
99 percent of infections are diagnosed in men and most are between the ages of 21 and 40. However, cases have been reported in women and children. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported so far, according to Belgian Kluge.
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