According to a preliminary study by the Institute of Tropical Medicine (IMT) in Antwerp (B), every man at high risk of infection should ideally be vaccinated against monkeypox as a preventive measure.
The study has not yet received the assent of its peers, but the Belgian researchers seem confident. “We have developed a mathematical model, as for the Covid”, explains Christophe Van Dijck of IMT. “In these models, we see the impact of different approaches to vaccination. However, there is little data and information on monkeypox currently, which is a barrier.”
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Illness sometimes unrecognized
This does not mean, however, that the scientific team could not draw important conclusions.
Until now it was thought that people infected with monkeypox would seek prompt medical attention, which is probably not the case as not everyone recognizes or develops the typical skin lesions or features. “And so the virus continues to spread,” notes Christophe Van Dijk.
Difficult tracing
Moreover, the study published last Thursday shows that in reality it is difficult to stop the spread via contact tracing, because subjects do not know exactly with whom they had high-risk contact.
Preventive vaccination thus seems the best option. “It is at least as effective and perhaps more effective than simply vaccinating high-risk contacts,” concludes Christophe Van Dijck.
ats/hkr