The World Health Organization has confirmed about 80 cases of menopause as recent outbreaks reported in 11 countries, according to a statement from Friday.
Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during pregnancy and in children, according to the WHO. More cases will be reported in the coming days as surveillance increases, he said.
Monkeypox is spread through close contact. It usually begins with flu-like symptoms and then progresses to body rashes.
“WHO is working with the affected countries and others to increase the number of cases of the disease to identify and support people who may be affected, as well as to provide guidance on how to manage the disease,” the organization said.
European countries have confirmed a number of cases in the largest monkey-type outbreak on the continent, according to German troops. The US has confirmed at least one case, and Canada has confirmed two. Monkeypox is commonly found in the rain forests of Central and West Africa where the carriers of the virus live, according to the WHO.
Monkeypox is a family-related virus with smallpox but not as serious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, monkeypox could lead to the death of up to 1 in 10 people who contract the disease in Africa, according to the CDC.
The smallpox vaccine is 85% effective in preventing monkeys based on awareness studies in Africa, according to the WHO and CDC. It can result in death for 1 in 10 people who contract the disease based on observations in Africa, according to the CDC.
Monkeypox spreads by close contact with people, animals or objects infected with the virus. It enters the body through broken skin, respiratory tract, eyes, nose and mouth. Although it is believed that human-to-human transmission occurs through respiratory droplets, that method requires long-term contact because the droplets cannot travel more than a few meters, according to the CDC.
Monkeypox often begins with symptoms such as fever including fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes, according to the CDC. Within one to three days of the onset of the flu, patients experience a rash on their face and spread to other parts of the body. Sickness usually lasts two to four weeks.
“As the monkey spreads by close contact, the response should be focused on the affected people and those close to them,” the WHO said. Health workers, family members and sexual partners of people living with the virus are at greater risk of contracting the disease.
The CDC confirmed the Monxox case in Massachusetts on Wednesday. The man had recently traveled to Canada using private transportation. New York City is investigating a case that could be a monkey, according to a health department statement Thursday.
The United States experienced a monopoly outbreak in 2003, for the first time outside Africa, as a result of human contact with infected dog breeds. The outbreak resulted in more than 70 reported cases.