Monkeypox spreading fast in Europe, North America: Top 10 facts about the new virus

Monkeypox is mostly being reported in young men and originates in wild animals like rodents and primates. The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring this new outbreak in coordination with health officials. Human cases of the virus, so far, have been reported in countries like the USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom and Italy. Until now the cases of this virus were rarely registered outside Africa. Here are 10 facts related to this new virus.

Monkeypox cases are increasingly being registered in Europe and North America. This virus is mostly being reported in young men and originates in wild animals like rodents and primates. The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring this new outbreak in coordination with health officials. Human cases of the virus, so far, have been reported in countries like the USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom and Italy. Until now the cases of this virus were rarely registered outside Africa. Here are 10 facts related to this new virus.

Monkeypox Cases | All you need to know 


1. Monkeypox is similar to smallpox in humans. It was discovered in 1958 in monkeys which were kept for research while the first human case was registered in 1970.

2. The virus is believed to be spread by rodents like rats, mice and squirrels. one can catch the virus following a bite by an infected animal, touching its blood, body fluids, fur or simply by eating meat of an infected animal that has not been properly cooked.

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3. According to WHO, the virus could have been possibly transmitted through sexual contact. "We are seeing transmission among men having sex with men," said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Soce Fall.

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4. Symptoms of the virus includes: fever, muscle ache, lesions and chills in humans.

5. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, no cases were reported of Monkeypox for 40 years before it re-emerged in Nigeria in 2017.

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6. So far, countries like the UK, USA, Sweden, Spain, Portugal and Canada have reported human cases of Monkeypox this year.

7. Britain accounts for 9 confirmed cases since May 6, US reported its 1st confirmed case yesterday, Canada has confirmed 2 cases,  Australia has also reported a probable case of the monkeypox in 40 year old man, the French health ministry on Thursday informed about a suspected case was detected in the Paris, Portugal accounts 14 confirmed cases and Spain reported 7 cases of Monkeypox.

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8. Currently, there is no specific treatment for Monkeypox.

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9. According to WHO, most patients recover within a few weeks, after being caught by the virus. However, studies in Central Africa show the disease kills as many as 1 in 10 infected people, due to less access to quality health care.

10. The incubation period of the virus is usually from 6-13 days but can range from 5-21 days, according to the WHO.

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