118 positive cases of monkeypox, a zoonotic disease, have been confirmed in European countries, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) announced.
According to ECDC's most recent assessment, monkeypox (MPX) is the most widespread infection of this kind in humans after smallpox, and the total number of confirmed cases worldwide as of 25 May is 219, with the majority of cases detected in men young men engaged in sexual relations with other men.
“In endemic areas, monkeypox virus (MPXV) is probably maintained in nature by circulation among a range of mammals, with occasional events of spread to humans. In endemic areas, MPXV is transmitted to humans through a bite or direct contact with the blood, flesh, body fluids or skin/mucosal lesions of an infected animal,” clarifies ECDC.
The number of positive cases in different countries varied, with the highest number of patients being registered in Spain (51) and Portugal (37). Other countries such as France, Germany and Italy have recorded five cases each, while six of these were found in the Netherlands.
Belgium, which is the first country to introduce a quarantine requirement for those infected with the virus, has recorded four cases, while the remaining countries such as Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovenia and Sweden have recorded one case respectively.
101 cases of monkeypox are confirmed in non-European countries, with most cases reported in the United Kingdom (71), followed by Canada 15) and the United States (nine).
Argentina, Israel and the United Arab Emirates have each confirmed one case, while Switzerland and Australia have confirmed two, while Morocco has three.
"The majority of current cases have shown mild symptoms of the disease, and to the wider population, the likelihood of spread is very low. However, the likelihood of spreading the virus through close contact, for example during sexual activities between people with multiple sexual partners, is considered to be high," said ECDC director Andrea Ammon.
In conclusion, we should not panic about the spread of monkeypox. In Romania, for now, no cases have been reported.