The World Health Organization WHO and partners are working to better understand the extent and cause of an outbreak of monkeypox.
The virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers.
The global health body in a statement said the recent outbreaks reported across 11 countries so far were atypical, as they were occurring in non-endemic countries.
It added that there were about 80 confirmed cases so far, and 50 pending investigations and more cases were likely to be reported as surveillance expanded.
The WHO further stated that it was working with the affected countries and others to expand disease surveillance to find and support people who might be affected, and to provide guidance on how to manage the disease.
“We continue to convene meetings of experts and technical advisory groups (such as the meeting today of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Infectious Hazards with Pandemic and Epidemic Potential [STAG-IH]) to share information on the disease and response strategies.
“WHO continues to receive updates on the status of ongoing outbreaks in endemic countries. Monkeypox spreads differently from COVID-19. WHO encourages people to stay informed from reliable sources, such as national health authorities, on the extent of the outbreak in their community (if any), symptoms and prevention.
“As monkeypox spreads through close contact, the response should focus on the people affected and their close contacts. People who closely interact with someone who is infectious are at greater risk for infection: this includes health workers, household members and sexual partners,” the statement read.
It also stated that stigmatizing groups of people because of a disease was never acceptable and it could be a barrier to ending an outbreak as it might prevent people from seeking care, and lead to undetected spread.
The global health body said as the situation was evolving, they would continue to provide updates.
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