The World Health Organization this week sparked health alerts, including a national health emergency in the United States, as the viral disease continues to spread after reports of attacks on animals in Brazil He said the monkey was not responsible for the smallpox outbreak. .
At least 10 monkeys were rescued last week in Sao José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, after they found signs of being attacked or poisoned for fear of contracting monkeypox. According to the G1 news site in that country. After that, seven of his monkeys died.
Police in São Paulo are investigating these cases and say animal cruelty can be punishable by three months to a year in prison.
Despite its name, the risk of monkeypox infection during this outbreak is focused on humans, not animals, said WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris. at Tuesday’s press conference.
“What people need to know very clearly is that the transmission we’re seeing is happening from person to person,” she said. It should be about where it is transmitted in the human population and what humans can do to protect themselves from acquiring it and transmitting it. Animals should not be attacked.”
The statement was prompted at a press conference in Geneva by questions about recent monkey attacks in Brazil.
The virus was discovered in a herd of laboratory monkeys in Denmark in 1958, but Harris believes that rodents are the main hosts for the virus.
Some scientists and public health officials are calling for a new name for the disease. Racist nuances and stigma, but no official changes have been announced.they say their current name May have “potentially devastating and stigmatizing effects” Also Incorrectly associating the virus with only the African continentwhen it is now in an international crisis.
Harris said the WHO is still discussing the correct name for the virus. An announcement will be coming soon, she said.
“The stigma of infected people will spread the disease,” Harris said. “Because if people fear they are infected, they will not get treatment, they will not take precautions and they will see more infections.”
Monkeypox virus is found mainly in Central and West Africa, especially in areas close to rainforests, and roping squirrels, tree squirrels, Gambian ratpox, and dormouse have been identified as potential carriers.
When sick, people often experience fever, headache, back and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.a a rash that looks like Acne and blisters are also common. Transmission occurs through close physical contact and is most commonly spread when symptoms appear about 6 to 13 days after exposure. The majority of cases this year are young men, many of whom self-identify as men who have sex with men.
The United States declared a national health emergency earlier this month over a monkeypox outbreak. 10,000 confirmed cases Nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WHO issued its highest level of alert for monkeypox in July. International confirmed cases rise to over 31,000 So far.
Two vaccines originally developed for smallpox help prevent monkeypox infection, but Jynneos is considered the safer choice. However, supply in the US is limited. People can be vaccinated after being exposed to the virus to prevent developing the disease.
Juliana Barbassa Contributed a translation.
