Smallpox in monkeys, cases on the rise by 62% in one week: Ema evaluates the extension of the vaccine
Europe epicenter of the epidemic. WHO: "The number is likely to be underestimated"
Cases of monkeypox continue to grow : as of June 22, the World Health Organization recorded 3,413 infections in areas where it is not endemic, with an increase of 62% in one week (2,103 cases in the survey as of June 15) .
The latest report confirms that the epicenter of the epidemic remains Europe with 86% of cases (2,933): 524 in the United Kingdom, 313 in Spain, 263 in Germany, 241 in Portugal, 125 in France, 80 in Netherlands, 68 in Italy. Outside the Old Continent, the largest number of cases are recorded in Canada (159) and the USA (72). "Probably the number is underestimated", however, is the warning of the WHO.
THE EPIDEMIC - Among the causes of the epidemic , according to the World Health Organization , the lack of early clinical recognition of an infection previously known in only a handful of countries and the lack of surveillance mechanisms for a previously "unknown disease. "to most health systems. Furthermore, "a greater impact on health with a wider diffusion in vulnerable groups", reads the document, cannot be ruled out.
In recent days, the WHO concluded that the epidemic for the moment does not constitute an international public health emergency (PHEIC), however "it recognized the emergency nature of the event and that the control of the further spread of this outbreak requires stepping up efforts in response. " The situation remains under close scrutiny and a reassessment is expected in the coming weeks "when more information on the current unknowns (eg incubation period, role of sexual transmission, etc.) becomes available to determine if significant changes have occurred that could justify a reconsideration of their advice. "
VACCINES - Meanwhile, the European medicines agency Ema has started a review of the data to extend the use of the smallpox vaccine Imvanex to also include an indication against monkeypox.
Imvanex is currently authorized in the EU for the prevention of smallpox in adults and contains a live modified form of the vaccine virus called Ankara, which is related to the smallpox virus and, given the similarity between the two viruses, is also considered a potential vaccine. for monkeypox. However, Imvanex supplies are currently very limited in the EU. The vaccine is marketed as Jynneos in the United States, where it is licensed for the prevention of both monkeypox and smallpox, explains Ema.
The most commonly reported side effects with Jynneos are pain, redness, swelling, itching and hardening at the injection site, muscle pain, headache and fatigue.
(Unioneonline / vl)
