Categories: Health

Monkeypox spreads to Israel and Switzerland too, taking number of affected countries to 14

<p>
Monkeypox infections have now spread to Israel and Switzerland taking the total number of nations reporting outbreaks of the disease to 14.</p>
<p>
Both countries said they identified one infected person who had recently travelled, but Israel said it was investigating other suspected cases as well, according to a BBC report.</p>
<p>
More than 80 cases have been confirmed in Europe, the US, Canada and Australia.</p>
<p>
The World Health Organization has said another 50 suspected cases are being investigated and warned that more infections are likely to be confirmed.</p>
<p>
Monkeypox is most common in remote tropical forests of Central and West Africa and its spread to western countries has come as a surprise.</p>
<p>
After the outbreak was first identified in the UK, the virus began to be detected across Europe – with public health agencies in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden all confirming cases.</p>
<p>
The UK Health Security Agency has identified 20 cases so far and its chief medical adviser Dr Susan Hopkins told the BBC's Sunday Morning programme: "We are detecting more cases on a daily basis."</p>
<p>
She said the virus is now spreading in the community – with cases detected which have no contact with anyone who has visited West Africa, where the disease is endemic.</p>
<p>
But the risk to the general population remains "extremely low", with cases so far mostly found in some urban areas and among gay or bisexual men, Dr Hopkins said.</p>
<p>
Several countries have started stocking smallpox vaccines, which are about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox infection because the two viruses are similar.</p>
<p>
The illness is usually mild and most people recover after a few weeks, according to the Britain’s National Health Service.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: </strong> <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/govt-issues-alert-on-monkeypox-to-national-centre-for-disease-control-and-icmr-172433.html">Govt issues alert on Monkeypox to National Centre for Disease Control and ICMR</a></p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

VINBAX 2024: Vietnam-India bilateral army exercise concludes at Kaushalya Dam

The fifth edition of the historic Indo-Vietnam Joint Field Training Exercise, VINBAX-2024, successfully concluded its…

15 hours ago

India-Russia strengthen defence ties at 22nd Working Group meeting on military technical cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Military technical cooperation and defence industry…

15 hours ago

“I want to have strong representation of India at World Nuclear Exhibition 2025”: Sylvie Bermann

Sylvie Bermann, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition expressed confidence in India's nuclear supply chain…

17 hours ago

PoJK: Joint Awami Action Committee protests against government following new ordinance, many injured

Joint Awami Action Committee core member Shaukat Nawaz Mir has condemned the attack of police…

17 hours ago

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

19 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

19 hours ago