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Monkeypox has been somewhat forgotten, yet the virus is still circulating. In its latest bulletin published in early June, the World Health Organization lists around twenty cases in four European countries. A call to remain vigilant, at the beginning of summer.
Who says summer, says travel, meetings and potential relationships. A good reason to remain vigilant vis-à-vis monkey pox, the cases of which have fallen significantly compared to last summer, but the virus of which continues to circulate.
Twenty cases in four European countries
In its bulletin published in June, the WHO recalls that 22 cases of monkey pox were recorded in four European countries during the month of May: eleven in the United Kingdom, eight in Spain, two in Belgium and one in the -Down.
According to the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, this figure may seem “low” but it “recalls that the virus continues to circulate in Europe, particularly affecting men who have sex with other men” and he “there could therefore be a resurgence of the epidemic”.
Summer travel partly responsible for the 2022 epidemic
“We took time to learn from what happened in the last year and looked at what caused the rise in infections, but also their decline.” adds Dr Catherine Smallwood, WHO Emergency Manager. “We understood that the infections were linked to travel, especially in June when many people traveled for the first time since the emergence of the pandemic.
A reminder of prevention advice
Regarding the prevention of the disease, the WHO always pleads in the first place for vaccination, which has an effectiveness of 36% after one dose and 66% for two doses.
And also stresses the importance of social distancing measures in the event of suspected contamination by the virus. Finally, remember that in France, 4121 people have been infected with monkey pox, and the vast majority are gay or bisexual men aged around 30.