By Peter Kenny
GENEVA (AA) - The World Health Organization said Tuesday that the risk for monkeypox is high in Europe and advised those who have been in close contact with people who have contracted the virus to avoid travel for a while.
At a news conference at the United Nations in Geneva, WHO monkeypox expert Dr. Rosamund Lewis said: "We at this moment still believe that this outbreak of monkeypox can be stopped with the right strategies in the right groups."
Lewis said that the WHO knows of more than 16,000 cases in 75 countries.
She was speaking about the decision by WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus on July 23 to declare the monkeypox epidemic a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
Asked about advice on travel, Lewis said the WHO has some recommendations regarding isolation of those with suspected cases.
"They suggest that any individual with signs and symptoms compatible with the monkeypox virus infection or being considered as suspected probable or confirmed case should avoid undertaking any travel.
"In other words, the recommendation presently is the cases persons with monkeypox should isolate for the duration of their infectiousness, which is as long as they have a rash, and until it has dried up scabs and the scabs have fallen off, a person is deemed to be infectious."
Lewis said people infected with the virus should isolate themselves for a while and avoid travel.
"In addition, it is recommended that those who are in close contact with cases monitor their body temperature for nine days and avoid travel during this period."
Monkeypox can cause a range of signs and symptoms, including painful sores.
Some people develop severe symptoms that need care in a health facility, says the WHO.
Those at higher risk for severe disease or complications include pregnant women, children, and immunocompromised persons.
Lewis said: "The WHO assesses the risk in the European region as high and at the global level as moderate considering this is the first time that many monkeypox cases and clusters are reported concurrently in many countries in widely disparate WHO geographical areas."