Monkeypox Cases Worldwide Surpass 1,000... "Mass Vaccination Not Recommended"

WHO "Reports of Community Transmission Including Female Infected Cases"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] As the number of monkeypox infection cases worldwide surpasses 1,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that it does not recommend mass vaccination with the smallpox vaccine.

On the 8th (local time), WHO announced in a press briefing that more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 29 non-endemic countries. According to the international statistics site Our World in Data, as of the 8th, there are 1,226 monkeypox cases worldwide. By country, the United Kingdom has the highest number with 322 cases.

WHO reported that community transmission appears to have occurred in some regions. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said, "Most cases have been reported among MSM (men who have sex with men), but some countries have started reporting community transmission including a small number of female cases." The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported two female infection cases on the 30th of last month.

Nevertheless, WHO does not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox like with COVID-19. Instead, WHO explained that some countries are considering vaccinating healthcare workers and close contacts who are at high risk of exposure within 4 days after exposure.

Dr. Sylvie Briand, WHO Director of Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness, emphasized, "The important thing is targeted vaccination of close contacts rather than mass vaccination," adding, "It is about sending hundreds of vaccine doses to multiple locations around the world, not millions of doses to one place." WHO plans to issue guidelines on treatment, infection prevention and control, and vaccination for monkeypox in the future.

Globally, while the number of monkeypox infections in non-endemic countries is increasing, no deaths have been reported. Regionally, confirmed cases have increased mainly in Europe, and monkeypox has not yet been reported in Asia.

Meanwhile, the UK designated monkeypox as a 'notifiable infectious disease' starting from the 8th. Accordingly, all doctors in the UK are required to report suspected monkeypox cases to local health authorities. Laboratories must notify UKHSA when the virus is identified in samples. Previously, South Korea designated monkeypox as a Class 2 notifiable infectious disease. Class 2 infectious diseases require mandatory reporting within 24 hours upon confirmed cases or outbreaks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.