Human-to-human transmission of monkeypox virus, fatality rate of up to 10%, WHO: mainly but not limited to found in men who have sex with men

monkeypox(Monkeypox), human-to-human transmission has occurred.

This is the latest signal from the World Health Organization (WHO) on this viral zoonotic disease.

According to data reported by WHO:

As of the 21st, 92 confirmed cases of monkeypox and 28 suspected cases have been reported.

Specifically, the countries that have been affected mainly include the United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal, in addition to cases in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States.

and this 12 countriesall belong to non-monkeypox endemic countries.

And the WHO said that the fatality rate of some monkeypox viruses has beenup to 10%!

In addition to the high popularity of the monkeypox topic itself, in the capital market “monkeypox concept stocks“There was also a change.

close relatives of smallpox

Monkeypox dates back to 1970, when it was first detected in a 9-year-old boy in Congo.

The clinical symptoms it causes in humans are similar to those of the smallpox virus in the past, and they all belong to the “Orthopoxvirus genus” of the “Pox family”.

Therefore, monkeypox is also known asclose relative of smallpox(Smallpox ceased to exist in 1980).

On May 6, the UK first confirmed its first case of monkeypox this year.

In just half a month, as the total number of confirmed and suspected monkeypox cases in Europe exceeded 100, the WHO confirmed on May 20 local time to hold an emergency meeting on monkeypox and issued a monkeypox outbreak warning:

Given that cases have been detected in several countries where monkeypox virus is not endemic, it is possible that more cases will be detected in these and other countries in the future, and monkeypox virus will spread further.

If you are infected with monkeypox,What are the symptoms?

According to WHO, the disease incubation period (the interval between infection and onset of symptoms) for monkeypox is usually 6 to 13 days, but may be 5 to 21 days.

Infection can be divided into two periods, which areOnset periodandskin rash.

The onset period usually lasts 0-5 days and is accompanied by some symptoms including fever, severe headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, muscle pain, and lack of energy.

During the rash phase, the rash will appear almost simultaneously on the face, palms and soles, and on the trunk.

The more concentrated places are the face (95% of cases) and limbs (75% of cases), and other places include oral mucosa (70%), genitals (30%), conjunctiva (20%), and corneas.

In terms of quantity, it ranges from a few to several thousand.

According to WHO, monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease, with symptoms lasting 2 to 4 weeks.

Severe cases usually occur in children and are related to the degree of exposure to the virus, the patient’s health status and the nature of the complications, and the underlying immunodeficiency may lead to worse outcomes.

SoHow monkeypox spreadswhat about?

It is understood that the monkeypox virus is not prone to human-to-human transmission, but the WHO stated based on the available information:

Interpersonal transmission is occurring among people who have had close physical contact with a symptomatic case.

The point here is thatclose physical contact.

including those who have been in close contact with an infected personrespiratory secretions,Contaminated items at the site of skin damageetc., it usually takes longer face-to-face for respiratory droplet transmission to occur.

But in addition, monkeypox virus can also pass throughmother-to-child transmissionandsexually transmitted.

And the WHO also stated that the current case has no clear travel history to monkeypox-endemic areas.and found primarily, but not exclusively, in men who have sex with men.

How to prevent?

In terms of preventing monkeypox virus, WHO has also given some recommendations.

Among them, the most important preventive measures areRaising awareness of monkeypox virus risk factorsand educate people about what they can do to reduce their exposure to the virus.

WHO believes that close contact with an infected person is the most important risk factor for monkeypox virus infection during a viral outbreak:

Health workers and family members are at greater risk of infection.

Health workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed monkeypox virus infection, or those handling specimens, should implement standard infection control precautions.

If possible, people who have been previously vaccinated against smallpox should be selected to care for the sick.

Second, WHO believes thatUnprotected contact with wild animals must be avoided. Especially those sick or dead animals, including their flesh, blood and other parts.

In addition, all foods containing animal meat or parts should bemust be cooked thoroughly.

restrict animal trade, is also a measure to prevent monkeypox virus. It is understood that some countries have established regulations restricting the import of rodents and non-human primates.

In this regard, WHO recommends:

Captive animals at risk of contracting monkeypox should be isolated from other animals and put into quarantine immediately.

Any animal that may have been in contact with an infected animal should be quarantined with standard precautions and observed for 30 days for monkeypox symptoms.

In addition, common household disinfectants can also kill monkeypox virus, and after exposure, wash your hands with soapy water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

and studies have shown thatSmallpox vaccine can also prevent infection with monkeypox virus, and the effective rate can reach 85%.

In this regard, Anne Rimoyne, professor of epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said:

The increase in monkeypox cases may be related to the elimination of smallpox.

After 1980, people were no longer vaccinated against smallpox, and immunity to monkeypox declined.

Changes in “Monkeypox Concept Stocks”

With the continuous fermentation of the monkeypox epidemic, the “monkeypox concept stocks” in the capital market have also changed.

For example, on May 18, a Danish pharmaceutical company producing a monkeypox vaccine Bavarian Nordic A statement was issued and the company signed a value agreement with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)hundreds of millions of dollarsContracts.

In this statement, Bavarian Nordic said the contract with the U.S. government totals $299 million to provide 13 million doses of freeze-dried monkeypox vaccine, with the first batch expected to be delivered next year (2023).

Affected by this news, Bavarian Nordic was very active in the stock market, rising 29.42% on May 19 and 18.36% on May 20.

In addition, companies related to drugs and vaccines related to smallpox, a close relative of monkeypox, were also brought up:

• SIGA Technologies, up 43.35%.

• Tonix Pharmaceuticals, up 14.93%

• Emergent BioSolution rose 11.49%.

…

In addition to drugs and vaccines,detectRelevant A-share companies also experienced “changes”.

For example, on May 20, Zhijiang Bio once hit the daily limit, and Daan Gene, *ST Kehua, Shuo Shi Bio and other testing and diagnostic concept stocks also rose sharply.

Several companies have recently officially announced the opening of the stockpiling of monkeypox virus detection kits:

…

For now,No cases of monkeypox infection in my countrybut we still need to take precautions before it happens, as the People’s Daily said – “Still vigilant!”

And the style of the netizens is surprisingly consistent:

Reference link:

[1]https://weibo.com/2803301701/Ludywh6Cv?type=comment

[2]https://weibo.com/2281157913/Luc8T6EZL?type=comment

[3]https://hb.dzwww.com/p/pfxdHkkRDG3.html

[4]https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox

[5]https://finance.eastmoney.com/a/202205232387388836.html