LIVE BLOG 23 May 2022: Monkeypox - What you need to know today

monkeypox. Picture: Pixnio

monkeypox. Picture: Pixnio

Published May 23, 2022

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Monkeypox - a rare viral infection related to smallpox - have been confirmed by health authorities in the United Kingdom.

WATCH: Here’s what South Africans need to know.

Cape Town - While South Africa and the rest of the world continue to make strides in recovering from the Covid-19 global pandemic, a new crisis has hit Europe in the form of monkeypox, leaving many in Africa uncertain.

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LOOK: Monkeypox cases around the world

Nearly 20 countries where monkeypox is not endemic have reported outbreaks of the viral disease, with more than 100 confirmed or suspected infections, mostly in Europe.

Portugal reported 14 new confirmed cases on May 23, bringing the total to 37.

Reuters

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EXPLAINER: How concerned should we be about monkeypox?

New York: Global health officials have sounded the alarm over rising cases of monkeypox in Europe and elsewhere. The viral infection is more common to west and central Africa.

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No monkeypox cases detected in SA but the risk of importation is a reality, says NICD

With more than 140 cases of monkeypox reported globally, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases has confirmed that there are no known cases in South Africa, however, the risk of the virus entering the country’s borders is a reality.

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Test tube labelled "Monkeypox virus positive" are seen in this illustration taken May 22, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Austria's first case of monkeypox confirmed, Vienna health authority says

Vienna - Austria's first case of monkeypox has been confirmed, Vienna's health authority said on Sunday after reporting the case as suspected. "Suspected case of pox viruses confirmed," the health authority said on Twitter

Reuters

US president Joe Biden says 'everybody' should be concerned about monkeypox outbreak

The monkeypox outbreak is something "everybody should be concerned about," U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sunday, adding that U.S. health officials are looking into possible treatments and vaccines.

"We’re working on it hard to figure out what we do," Biden told reporters at an air base in South Korea before departing on Air Force One for Japan.

Reuters

Monkeypox-infected people required to isolate for 3 Weeks in Belgium

Monkeypox-infected people required to isolate for 3 Weeks in Belgium

Belgium currently requires monkeypox-infected individuals to be quarantined for 21 days, media report.

Since the monkeypox virus has a rather long incubation period, infected people need to be isolated for three weeks, La Libre daily said on Sunday citing Belgian authorities.

Nonetheless, those who have been in contact with the infected person are not required to self-isolate and only need to watch their health condition closely, the newspaper specified.

Belgium currently has four confirmed cases of monkeypox — all of the infected people had attended the same event.

Sputnik News