Monkeypox Vaccines "Not 100% Effective", Says WHO
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Vaccines against monkeypox are not 100 per cent effective, said WHO (World Health Organisation). People must reduce their own risks of infection, WHO technical lead, Rosamund Lewis, warned on Wednesday.
The new development comes when more than 35,000 cases of
monkeypox have been reported across more than 92 countries. Reportedly, 12
deaths have been attributed to the disease.
While addressing a press briefing, Lewis said that WHO is
"not expecting a 100 per cent efficacy" for vaccines for the
prevention of monkeypox.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that
almost 7,500 cases were reported last week, a 20 per cent increase from the
previous week. During the media briefing, Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the
news.
Last month, Tedros announced that the global monkeypox
outbreak represents a public health emergency. Subsequently, WHO declared a
global health emergency over the monkeypox outbreak.
According to Tedros, monkeypox cases are being reported from
Europe and America, especially among men who have sex with other men. According
to the WHO, monkeypox is a virus transmitted to humans from animals.
Animal-to-human transmission usually takes place by bite or scratch of infected
animals. Human-to-human transmission occurs through close contact. The
monkeypox virus usually spreads through close physical contact, including in
sexual relationships.
The monkeypox virus belongs to the same family as smallpox.
The common symptoms include fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. According
to the WHO, the monkeypox virus can be more severe in young children, pregnant
women, and individuals who are immunocompromised.
People who have had contact with a known monkeypox patient
or people who have particular skin conditions like eczema are usually at a
higher risk. However, most people usually recover from monkeypox within a few
weeks without treatment.
This week, the United States health authorities announced
that monkeypox vaccines will be made available at the Gay Pride event.
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