The World Health Organization (WHO) this week declared a public health emergency of international concern over the outbreak of a new type of smallpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in Africa. Sweden just reported the first case in Europe on Thursday. Although the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has assessed that the risk of the virus spreading on the continent is very low, countries have already taken steps in line with the WHO’s advice aimed at preventing an explosion of infections. In Andorra, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday that it was strengthening surveillance of the disease, of which no cases have been diagnosed this year and none are currently suspected. “The health authorities are maintaining constant monitoring and information has been updated for health workers so that they can take appropriate action if a case or suspicion is detected,” the government said in a statement.
Those most at risk now are people travelling to a country where the virus is spreading. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has the highest number of diagnoses, but it has also been detected in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. The ministry recommends that potential travellers “take appropriate preventive measures: avoid contact with wild animals, avoid close contact with patients and do not share clothing or other utensils with patients”, urging them to contact the passenger service or telephone number 116 before travelling to find out what measures to take. If they have returned from an affected area within less than 30 days or if they have been in contact with a case and have symptoms consistent with the disease, they should isolate themselves at home, wear a mask, cover their wounds and call 116 so that a healthcare professional can assess the situation and give you instructions.
The ministry recalled that transmission from person to person occurs through close contact and through respiratory secretions (mainly large respiratory droplets) or skin lesions of an infected person, as well as through objects that have recently been contaminated with patient fluids or infection materials. Regarding symptoms, the health authority indicates that the incubation period is usually five to sixteen days, but it can reach 21 and begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills and fatigue. A rash usually also develops, usually starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body, including the genitals. When the crust falls off, which happens after two to three weeks, the person is no longer contagious.
vaccination
The ministry recalled, referring to the guidelines approved at the end of September 2022 after four cases were announced in the country, that the recommendation for vaccination is still limited to people most at risk of infection, mainly due to risky sexual practices.
Timeline
1 WHO Emergency Declaration
Last Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared an international emergency due to the outbreak of smallpox that was spreading in various countries in Africa.
2 ES confirms first home in Europe
The next day, Sweden reported the first case of this new variant in Europe. Although the risk of outbreaks has decreased, countries are becoming more active.
3. Strengthening monitoring guidelines
Health urges people who may have traveled or are planning to do so to countries with high prevalence of the virus to follow preventive measures.
Variable with strong spread
Smallpox cases continue to be diagnosed, but this new health alert is marked by the effects of a new variant that was already detected last year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and has been spreading strongly in neighboring regions, which is why WHO has declared a second emergency regarding the disease. The first, in 2022, was the result of another explosion in cases and the emergence of the disease in countries where it had not previously been detected. That emergency was put down in May last year, after a decline in cases worldwide. Now, the organization’s goal is for a coordinated response to once again halt the outbreak. Half a thousand deaths have been recorded in the DRC this year.
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