France Opens 100 Monkeypox Vaccine Centres; 1,700 Cases Reported So Far

 

France has opened about 100 vaccination centres for monkeypox across the country, and more than 6,000 people have received a preventive vaccination.

Health Minister Francois Braun said on Monday that nearly 1700 people have been infected with monkeypox in France. The minister called on patients, who have lesions or other symptoms, to self-isolate as soon as possible.

According to media reports, the French government will focus on a vaccination campaign to help people who are at risk. The minister said in an interview with BFM TV, "The patients are mainly men who have had sexual relations with other men, but one can also be infected by contact with a patient's blisters.”

People in Paris, the capital of France, are most affected by monkeypox. This week, the government has planned to open a dedicated vaccination centre in Paris.

WHO declares global health emergency over monkeypox outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday declared a global health emergency over the monkeypox outbreak in more than 75 countries. WHO reportedly said there have been more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox in more than 75 countries and five deaths in Africa.

The virus has been spreading mainly in men who have sex with other men. The monkeypox virus belongs to the same family as smallpox. People who've had contact with a known monkeypox patient are usually at a higher risk. People who have particular skin conditions like eczema are at greater risk too. These people should take the vaccine as soon as possible.

Monkeypox has symptoms similar to smallpox but is less severe, with most people recovering within a week. However, it causes fever, chills, rash, and lesions on the face and genitals. Reportedly, people exposed to the virus are often given one of several smallpox vaccines, which are effective against monkeypox.