In view of the unusual spread of monkeypox, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging various measures, but sees no reason for alarm. “This is not a disease that should worry the public. It’s not about Covid,” said WHO expert Sylvie Briand on Friday in Geneva at a briefing for WHO member countries.
Nevertheless, states should quickly identify those who are ill and isolate those affected. The WHO assumes that most cases are mild. However, pregnant women, children and people with weak immune systems have a higher risk of a severe course.
“We have a good window of opportunity to stop the transmission now,” said Briand. However, it is unclear how large the stocks of vaccines against smallpox are, which should also help against monkeypox.
