As of May 26, "there is a cumulative total of 257 laboratory confirmed cases of monkeypox and about 120 suspected cases."

On the other hand, no deaths were reported . But "the situation is evolving rapidly and WHO predicts that identified cases will increase as surveillance expands to non-endemic countries, as well as to countries known to be endemic that have not reported cases recently."

This is what we read in a note released by the World Health Organization about the virus under the spotlight of the authorities of various European countries, including Italy.

The WHO itself stressed that since May 13, monkeypox has been reported by 23 Member States that are not "endemic" to the virus.

The epidemiological investigations, the WHO still says, are in progress . "The vast majority of cases reported so far - reads the update note - have not established travel links with an endemic area and have presented themselves through primary care or sexual health services".

WHO then points out that the identification of confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox without direct links to an endemic area "is atypical" and a case of monkeypox in a non-endemic country "is considered an outbreak".

Furthermore, WHO notes that the sudden simultaneous emergence of monkeypox in several non-endemic countries "suggests that there may have been undetected transmission for some time as well as recent events that have amplified the spread."

Finally, the World Health Organization recalls that there are three immediate actions to be taken : providing accurate information to those who may be most at risk; stop further spread among risk groups; protect frontline health workers.

(Unioneonline / lf)

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