WHO Reports Breakthrough Monkeypox Cases, Says Vaccines Are ‘Not a Silver Bullet’


This 2003 electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virus, left and rounded immature virus obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. Monkeypox, a disease that rarely appears outside Africa, has been identified by European and US health officials in recent days.

Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP monkeypox virus

The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that there have been several successful cases of monkeypox after preliminary reports detailing the effectiveness of the vaccine.

At a press briefing, Dr. Rosamund Lewis, WHO’s technical head for monkeypox, discussed reports of successful cases of monkeypox in people who received the vaccine for prophylaxis after exposure to the virus.

“We have known from the outset that this vaccine will not be a silver bullet, that it will not meet all the expectations that are being put on it and that we do not have solid efficacy data or effectiveness data in this context,” Lewis explained. Of.

“The fact that we are starting to see some success cases is also really important information because it tells us that the vaccine is not 100% effective under any circumstances, be it preventive or post-exposure, ” He continued. “We cannot expect 100% effectiveness at this time based on this emerging information.”

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox can be prevented with the genus smallpox, which can be effective even after a person is infected.

Health officials noted that the efficacy data on the vaccine is not surprising because a study from the 1980s found that the shots can provide about 85% protection against monkeypox.

“What we are seeing are success cases, which are not really surprising, but it does remind us that vaccines are not a silver bullet, every person who feels they are a risk, and their level of risk. appreciate, and want to, have a number of interventions at their disposal to reduce their own risk levels, including vaccination where available, but also protection from activities where they may be at risk are,” Lewis said.

Monkeypox is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact, bodily fluids or direct contact with wounds, and can also be transmitted by respiratory droplets. While respiratory transmission may sound similar to that of COVID-19, monkeypox does not spread nearly as easily as the coronavirus.

The CDC states that individuals can avoid skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash resembling monkeypox, by avoiding contact with objects and materials that have been used by a person with monkeypox, and often by hand. Wash.

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As of Friday, there are 41,358 confirmed global cases of monkeypox in 94 countries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The United States counts more infections from the virus than any other country in the world, with 14,115.



(This story has not been edited by seemayo staff and is published from a rss feed)

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