Situation Briefer on Monkeypox as of 27 May 2022
What is Monkeypox?
- ● Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease with symptoms similar to smallpox.1
- ● The disease was first identified in humans in 1970 in DR Congo, and is considered to be endemic to Central and West Africa.
- ● Typical symptoms of Monkeypox include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
- ● Skin eruption usually occurs 1 to 3 days after the appearance of fever.
- Transmission
- ● It is primarily transmitted through close contact (wounds, body fluids, respiratory droplets) with an infected person or animal, or with contaminated materials.
- ● The incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.
Status of Outbreak
- ● The WHO has received reports of outbreaks of Monkeypox infections in Europe and North America since 13 May 2022. As of 21 May, 92 infections have been confirmed and 28 more are suspected in various countries in the said regions.2 As of 21 May 2022, the WHO reports that current infections do not have travel links to countries where the disease is endemic.
Philippines
● The Department of Health (DOH) released an advisory on the developing monkeypox situation.3 It noted that current health protocols implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also help prevent monkeypox virus transmission.
Sources:
1 https://www.who.int/news-
2 https://www.who.int/