European health agency issued a new alert on the disease

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control indicated that there is a risk that monkeypox will become endemic in Europe.

According to the European health agency, if human-to-human transmission progresses and if the virus reaches animal species in the region, could take root.

Nevertheless, in their risk assessment they consider it to be “very low”.

“Currently, little is known about the suitability of European peridomestic (mammalian) animal species to serve as hosts for monkeypox virus… Such an indirect event could potentially lead to the virus establishing itself in European wildlife. and the disease becomes an endemic zoonosis”, it was warned.

It is worth noting that this virus considered endemic in only a dozen West and Central African countries, where human infections occur sporadically.

On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) assured that the monkeypox outbreak that has been registered in 16 countries, including Spain, “it can still be controlled” because it is “low”.

“From what we know about the virus and its modes of transmission, this outbreak can still be contained, so the goal is to stop it”, said smallpox expert and member of the UN agency’s Emergencies Program, Rosamund Lewis.

According to the WHO, it is “unlikely” that the virus has already mutated, although he considers that the transmission may be being driven by socialization, after the lifting of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

This outbreak of monkeypox has been mainly transmitted, as the United Nations organization has recalled, by close skin-to-skin contact, although the virus can also be transmitted by respiratory droplets and contaminated bedding.

The incubation period for smallpox is usually 6 to 13 days.although it can range between five and 21 days.

“We do not yet have information on whether it is transmitted through body fluids,” Lewis said, urging potentially at-risk groups to “be vigilant” when in close contact with other people and remember that it can affect “anyone.” ” and not just men who have sex with men.

Animals that could transmit the disease

Monkeypox, also known as monkeypox, is a disease caused by a virus transmitted from animals to people (viral zoonosis).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Cases are reported sporadically in central and western parts of the tropical forest of Africa.

Transmission occurs primarily by respiratory droplets, usually after prolonged face-to-face contact with the patientexposing family members of active cases to increased risk of infection.

Likewise, a series of animals that are highly potential in transmitting this disease were identified.

Mono

According to the United States National Public Health Agency (CDC), this disease It was discovered in 1958 in colonies of monkeys that were used for research experiments.hence the name of this class of smallpox.

prairie dog

In the United States, a series of cases were presented that had confidentially had direct contact with domestic prairie dogs. These cases were the first reported outside the African continent, where all cases had been reported until 2003.

gambian rat

The Gambian giant rat is a rodent that, when handled irregularly, can cause transmission of monkeypox. These are endemic to Central Africa.

Risk of contagion

The risk of contagion from monkeypox is “very low” in the general population and it can be stopped in countries where the disease is not endemic, health authorities said on Monday, after the increase in cases in Europe and North America.

*With information from Europa Press and AFP.

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