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WHO: At least 643 cases of monkeypox detected across 26 non-endemic states

03 June 2022 09:55 (UTC +04:00)

At least 643 monkeypox cases in humans have been registered in 26 non-endemic countries by early June, Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses Lead at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme Maria Van Kerkhove said, APA reports citing Sputnik.

At the moment, the overall number of infections ranges from 643 to 650, with numerous suspected cases identified, Van Kerkhove said, adding that these infections were reported from 13 May to 1 June.

Monkeypox has been reported in a total of 26 non-endemic countries across four WHO regions, she said, noting that the highest infection rate was observed in the United Kingdom with 190 cases, Spain with 142 cases, Portugal with 119 cases, and Germany with 44 cases.

According to Van Kerkhove, epidemiologists currently need to assess the risk of spreading monkeypox worldwide, examine the genome of the virus and sequence it to track potential mutations.