MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. The number of confirmed monkeypox cases outside endemic African countries has doubled in the past 12 days, TASS reported on Monday citing its own calculations based on WHO data and statements by governments.
Since early spring, 2,044 people have been infected in 38 countries outside Africa.
The UK reported the bulk of all infections (524 cases, up 73.5% over the past 12 days), trailed by Spain and Germany with 313 and 263 cases respectively. A total of 1,769 cases have been confirmed in Europe.
The World Health Organization reported earlier that the number of monkeypox cases had topped 2,100 since the start of the year.
Monkeypox is a rare viral disease mostly endemic to central and west Africa, often in proximity to tropical rainforests, the WHO said.
According to WHO data, the virus is transmitted to humans from animals, such as rodents and primates, while its human-to-human transmission has been rare. The case fatality ratio of monkeypox has historically ranged from 1% to 10% and has been higher among young children, the WHO claims. Though no specific therapy for monkeypox or vaccine against it are available, vaccination against smallpox and prevention have proved highly effective.