Since 1 January and as of 22 June 2022, 3413 laboratory confirmed cases and one death have been reported to WHO from 50 countries/territories in five WHO Regions. (the Regions of the Americas, Africa, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific). As of now no cases have been reported from the South-East Asia Region. More cases are likely to be reported as surveillance expands. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing, however, reported cases thus far have no established travel links to endemic areas.
Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral zoonotic disease, meaning that it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread between people. Symptoms of monkeypox typically include a fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions. The rash usually begins within one to three days of the start of a fever. Symptoms typically last between 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own without treatment.
If you do need to have physical contact with someone who has monkeypox because you are a health worker or live together, encourage the infected person to self-isolate and cover any skin lesion if they can (e.g., by wearing clothing over the rash). When you are physically close to them, they should wear a medical mask, especially if they are coughing or have lesions in their mouth. You should wear one also. Avoid skin-to-skin contact whenever possible and use disposable gloves if you have any direct contact with lesions. Wear a mask when handling any clothes or bedding if the person cannot do it themselves.
Regularly clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub, especially after contact with the person who is infected, their clothes, bed sheets, towels and other items or surfaces they have touched or that might have come into contact with their rash or respiratory secretions (e.g., utensils, dishes). Wash the person’s clothes, towels and bedsheets and eating utensils with warm water and detergent. Clean and disinfect any contaminated surfaces and dispose of contaminated waste (e.g., dressings) appropriately.
If you think you have symptoms that could be monkeypox, protect others by avoiding close contact, wearing a mask and isolating at home if possible. Seek advice from your health care provider. Let them know if you have had close contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed monkeypox.
WHO is working with the affected countries and others to expand disease surveillance to find and support people who may be affected, and to provide guidance on how to manage the disease. As the situation is evolving, WHO will continue to provide updates as we learn more.
Monkeypox Q&A available here: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/monkeypox/
Monkeypox fact sheet available here: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
Further reading on Monkeypox: https://www.who.int/health-topics/monkeypox#tab=tab_1