Monkeypox outbreaks: A list of countries that recorded cases recently. Will it be like COVID-19 pandemic?

Even as monkeypox swarms US and Europe affecting thousands of people, a new research has claimed to have found the potential cure to treat the viral infection. Scientists have said that giving antiviral medications might shorten symptoms and reduce the amount of time a patient is contagious. The antivirals are designed for smallpox. The medication, if effective as the study suggests, can be a major breakthrough for several countries who are already reeling under the surge of COVID-19 outbreak. There are currently no licensed treatments for monkeypox in humans. The only available drugs, identified in the study, are Brincidofovir and Tecovirimat.

So far, both the drugs are only approved in the USA for the treatment of smallpox.

The study was published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases after analysing seven patients who were treated for monkeypox between 2018 and 2021 in the United Kingdom, The Independent reported.

The researchers pointed out that their study is based on a small sample group and called for further investigations around the antiviral treatments.

Their findings said that monkeypox was found in throat and blood samples of the patients. Five of them spent more than three weeks in isolation – up to 39 days – as they received prolonged positive PCR test results.

Watch |&nbsp;UN denounces ‘racist’ and ‘homophobic’ coverage of monkeypox

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-denounces-racist-and-homophobic-coverage-of-monkeypox-482009/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Monkeypox not airborne

However, the authors cautioned that their study does not point toward airborne infection like that of COVID-19.&nbsp;

“In our cases, it’s been with very close contact in households with children and parents having direct contact with each other rather than the necessary at a distance,” Dr David Porter, one of the authors of the report said.

Effectiveness of the medicines

Of the seven patients, three of them, who came from West Africa, were treated with brincidofovir seven days after the onset of the disease. However, it was not found to be effective.

One patient treated with Tecovirimat for two weeks experienced a shorter duration of symptoms. One patient experienced a mild relapse 6 weeks after hospital discharge.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/monkeypox-outbreaks-list-of-countries-where-cases-found-recently-will-it-be-like-covid-19-pandemic-480924">Monkeypox outbreaks: A list of countries that recorded cases recently. Will it be like COVID-19 pandemic?</a>

None of the patients experienced the common severe complications of monkeypox such as pneumonia or sepsis.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/monkeypox-simulation-was-conducted-last-year-with-bizarre-results-481793">Monkeypox simulation results: Fictional nation, terror group and massive outbreak</a>

“The disease course of the patients we report on were challenging and resource-intensive to manage, even in the high-income setting of the UK. Monkeypox outbreaks will continue to occur in west and central Africa, and healthcare workers around the world must remain vigilant to the possibility of monkeypox in travellers presenting with fever and rash. Our observations in this small series support further research into antivirals to treat this neglected tropical disease,” the report said.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Even as monkeypox swarms US and Europe affecting thousands of people, a new research has claimed to have found the potential cure to treat the viral infection. Scientists have said that giving antiviral medications might shorten symptoms and reduce the amount of time a patient is contagious.

Even as monkeypox swarms US and Europe affecting thousands of people, a new research has claimed to have found the potential cure to treat the viral infection. Scientists have said that giving antiviral medications might shorten symptoms and reduce the amount of time a patient is contagious. The antivirals are designed for smallpox. The medication, if effective as the study suggests, can be a major breakthrough for several countries who are already reeling under the surge of COVID-19 outbreak. There are currently no licensed treatments for monkeypox in humans. The only available drugs, identified in the study, are Brincidofovir and Tecovirimat. So far, both the drugs are only approved in the USA for the treatment of smallpox. The study was published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases after analysing seven patients who were treated for monkeypox between 2018 and 2021 in the United Kingdom, The Independent reported. The researchers pointed out that their study is based on a small sample group and called for further investigations around the antiviral treatments. Their findings said that monkeypox was found in throat and blood samples of the patients. Five of them spent more than three weeks in isolation – up to 39 days – as they received prolonged positive PCR test results. Watch | UN denounces ‘racist’ and ‘homophobic’ coverage of monkeypox Monkeypox not airborne However, the authors cautioned that their study does not point toward airborne infection like that of COVID-19. “In our cases, it’s been with very close contact in households with children and parents having direct contact with each other rather than the necessary at a distance,” Dr David Porter, one of the authors of the report said. Effectiveness of the medicines Of the seven patients, three of them, who came from West Africa, were treated with brincidofovir seven days after the onset of the disease. However, it was not found to be effective. One patient treated with Tecovirimat for two weeks experienced a shorter duration of symptoms. One patient experienced a mild relapse 6 weeks after hospital discharge. Also read | Monkeypox outbreaks: A list of countries that recorded cases recently. Will it be like COVID-19 pandemic? None of the patients experienced the common severe complications of monkeypox such as pneumonia or sepsis. Also read | Monkeypox simulation results: Fictional nation, terror group and massive outbreak “The disease course of the patients we report on were challenging and resource-intensive to manage, even in the high-income setting of the UK. Monkeypox outbreaks will continue to occur in west and central Africa, and healthcare workers around the world must remain vigilant to the possibility of monkeypox in travellers presenting with fever and rash. Our observations in this small series support further research into antivirals to treat this neglected tropical disease,” the report said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Can monkeypox be cured? UK scientists claim to have found potential wonder drug

The United Kingdom has detected 36 new cases of monkeypox after community transmission of the virus. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the latest monkeypox cases have taken&nbsp;the total to 56.

Health officials believe that although the outbreak was concerning, the risk to Britons remained low. They have advised people who have developed symptoms to isolate themselves for up to 21 days.

UKHSA chief medical adviser Susan Hopkins told BBC, ''We are finding cases that have no identified contact with an individual from West Africa, which is what we've seen previously in this country.''

"The risk of the general population remains extremely low at the moment, and I think people need to be alert to it," she added.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-monkeypox-cases-spread-in-north-america-europe-480540/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"It is basically a very rare disease and so far the consequences don’t seem to be very serious but it is important that we keep an eye on it," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Although the monkeypox virus does not spread easily between people, it can be passed on through close person-to-person contact or contact with items used by a person who has monkeypox, such as clothes, bedding, or utensils.

"Because the virus spreads through close contact, we are urging everyone to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service if they have any symptoms," Hopkins said.

"A notable proportion of recent cases in the UK and Europe have been found in gay and bisexual men so we are particularly encouraging these men to be alert to the symptoms," she added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/monkeypox-outbreaks-list-of-countries-where-cases-found-recently-will-it-be-like-covid-19-pandemic-480924">Also see |&nbsp;A list of countries that recorded cases recently. Will it be like COVID-19 pandemic?</a>

Rosamund Lewis, head of the smallpox secretariat that is part of the WHO Emergencies Programme, told a briefing that the UN agency does not have evidence that the monkeypox virus has mutated.

"This is a containable situation," particularly in Europe, she said. "But we can't take our eye off the ball with what's happening in Africa, in countries where it's endemic."

"We know that men who have sex with men (MSM) if they do spot an unusual rash, they're likely to want to get it sorted out quite quickly," said Andy Seale, strategies adviser at the Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes at the WHO.

"The fact they've been proactive in responding to unusual symptoms might be part of the story. This will become clearer in the weeks and days to come," Seale said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The United Kingdom has detected 36 new cases of monkeypox after community transmission of the virus. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the latest monkeypox cases have taken the total to 56.

The United Kingdom has detected 36 new cases of monkeypox after community transmission of the virus. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the latest monkeypox cases have taken the total to 56. Health officials believe that although the outbreak was concerning, the risk to Britons remained low. They have advised people who have developed symptoms to isolate themselves for up to 21 days. UKHSA chief medical adviser Susan Hopkins told BBC, ''We are finding cases that have no identified contact with an individual from West Africa, which is what we've seen previously in this country.'' "The risk of the general population remains extremely low at the moment, and I think people need to be alert to it," she added. "It is basically a very rare disease and so far the consequences don’t seem to be very serious but it is important that we keep an eye on it," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Although the monkeypox virus does not spread easily between people, it can be passed on through close person-to-person contact or contact with items used by a person who has monkeypox, such as clothes, bedding, or utensils. "Because the virus spreads through close contact, we are urging everyone to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service if they have any symptoms," Hopkins said. "A notable proportion of recent cases in the UK and Europe have been found in gay and bisexual men so we are particularly encouraging these men to be alert to the symptoms," she added. Also see | A list of countries that recorded cases recently. Will it be like COVID-19 pandemic? Rosamund Lewis, head of the smallpox secretariat that is part of the WHO Emergencies Programme, told a briefing that the UN agency does not have evidence that the monkeypox virus has mutated. "This is a containable situation," particularly in Europe, she said. "But we can't take our eye off the ball with what's happening in Africa, in countries where it's endemic." "We know that men who have sex with men (MSM) if they do spot an unusual rash, they're likely to want to get it sorted out quite quickly," said Andy Seale, strategies adviser at the Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes at the WHO. "The fact they've been proactive in responding to unusual symptoms might be part of the story. This will become clearer in the weeks and days to come," Seale said. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Monkeypox outbreak: UK detects 36 new cases after community transmission of virus

Monkeypox simulation results: Fictional nation, terror group and massive outbreak