Cases of fresh monkeypox appear in the US, Europe and Australia

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(Bloomberg) — New and suspected cases of monkeypox have recently occurred in two of the largest cities: New York City, Sweden, Canada, and Australia. It is a rare and potentially deadly cousin of the smallpox virus, but traditionally now Africa is sown all over the world.

Scientists are looking for a link between scattered infections that have emerged in the Northern Hemisphere for about two weeks. Pathogens usually cause flu-like symptoms, often starting on the face and followed by a rash that spreads throughout the body. The illness often lasts from 2 weeks to 1 month.

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The virus does not spread efficiently among people because infection requires direct contact with body fluids, infectious sores, contaminated substances, or large respiratory droplets. However, the rare risk is evident in how widespread the virus is today, with cases occurring in many parts of the world.

Anne Rimoin, chairman of infectious diseases and public health at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the increase in infectious diseases could be a complication associated with one of human’s greatest victories over unprecedented illness. Said there was.

“Eradication of smallpox was one of the greatest achievements in the history of human health and public health,” she said. “But, of course, it left the world without immunity to the poxvirus. It’s only natural to start seeing more cases occur when people are exposed.”

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Monkeypox is significantly less dangerous than smallpox, but it can still be fatal. Currently circulating strains are thought to kill about 1% of infected people.

Medical and financial experts say the risk to global health remains low, especially when compared to Covid-19, because the virus does not spread easily and containment measures are generally effective. Said.

Jonathan Miller, an analyst at Evercore ISI in New York, said: “Monkeypox hatching usually takes about 9 to 10 days. Slow infections help contain the disease and increase the time the document responds during the infection process.”

Since the 1970s, about 12 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Africa. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, authorities have not yet identified a reservoir where the pathogen is waiting during a relapse, but African rodents and small mammals can spread the pathogen to other animals and humans. I believe it will be useful.

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The first case in Australia was diagnosed in a man in his thirties who developed mild symptoms during a visit to the United Kingdom before returning to Melbourne. Another possible case was detected in a man in his 40s who developed a mild illness after returning to Sydney from Europe.

According to media reports, the first case in the United States this year was confirmed in a Massachusetts man who recently traveled to Canada. In Canada, authorities are investigating up to 13 cases in Montreal. Another possible case is being investigated in New York City, but two more infections have been reported in the United Kingdom, for a total of nine.

Other possible or confirmed cases have been reported in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Sweden.

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