Increase in Monkeypox Cases; Moderna Begins Initial Vaccine Trials

Moderna announced that following the spread of monkeypox, it is testing potential vaccines against the virus in the United States and Europe.

The World Health Organization reported on Tuesday that since the first case was reported on May 7th outside countries where the virus typically spreads, 131 confirmed cases of monkeypox and 106 additional suspected cases have been observed.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that one confirmed case of monkeypox and four suspected cases of the disease have been detected in the United States.

Sequencing by the center from the confirmed sample in Massachusetts, after 48 hours, confirmed that this infection matches the case observed in Portugal.

In Massachusetts, approximately 200 people who may have been exposed are under observation.

The health agency also stated that the U.S. government is distributing the monkeypox vaccine called Jynneos, produced by biotechnology company “Bavarian Nordic,” for protection against monkeypox.

In America, this vaccine has been approved in two doses for prevention of smallpox, which is also used for monkeypox. Currently, more than a thousand doses of this vaccine are ready for use.

An older vaccine called ACAM2000 also exists in America that can prevent monkeypox, and more than 100 million doses of it are ready for use.

Denmark’s health organization, after confirming two cases, will provide vaccines produced by “Bavarian Nordic” to individuals who have had close contact with monkeypox patients.

The World Health Organization also stated that monkeypox can be controlled in countries outside Africa where the virus is not typically prevalent.

Although the number of monkeypox cases is expected to continue increasing, experts say the overall risk to the general population is very low.

This virus is typically found in remote areas of central and west Africa.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in response to the increase in monkeypox cases in several countries worldwide, issued a “Level 2” travel health alert, emphasizing that monkeypox cases have been reported in Europe, North America, and Australia.

The center has advised travelers to constantly wash their hands with soap and water or use disinfectants.

The agency has also emphasized that the risk of this disease to the “general population” is low.

People vulnerable to this virus are typically those who have a family member who is ill, have had sexual contact with an infected person, or have changed the bedding of an ill person without using protective equipment.

One way monkeypox spreads is through respiratory tract secretions. The risk of infection through this route is more likely for patient relatives and loved ones and medical care personnel.

In 2018, a strain of this pox was also limited in countries such as Britain, Israel, and Singapore.

It is believed that social restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic may have played an important role in preventing the widespread transmission of monkeypox during this period.

Source: Voice of America