Author: Mike Ross
According to health officials, a monkeypox patient has died in Belgium, making it the third death of a monkeypox patient in Europe. Doctors also stated that the patient had severe health issues.
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus called variola major. Its symptoms include fever, rash, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and skin lesions in humans.
The disease was discovered in 1958, and it has since spread to several countries in Africa and Asia.
The first outbreak of monkeypox in the United States was confirmed in Massachusetts. There are 17,432 instances in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico as of August 26.
Most of these cases occurred among individuals who had recently traveled abroad or lived with someone who had recently returned from abroad.
Monkeypox is Gaining Momentum
Belgium has confirmed its first monkeypox death, the third in Europe, as the worldwide case count approaches 50,000. According to the World Health Organization, Europe and the United States are the epicenters of the outbreak, involving 50,496 cases and 16 deaths confirmed globally. Before this epidemic, monkeypox was limited to Africa; no one had perished outside hotspots.
The few other cases were traced back to the disease’s native habitat and controlled using small-scale quarantines.
The first death in Belgium occurred in a monkeypox patient with “underlying medical issues,” according to the Sciensano public health institution on Thursday.
Belgium has documented 706 instances by the end of August, with 32 needing hospitalization. On July 24, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox and Covid-19 a public health emergency of worldwide concern.
The Growth of the Outbreak in the U. S
Many countries in America, representing more than half of all reported cases, continue to witness increased infection rates. However, there is a continuous declining trend in Canada.
Some European nations, notably Germany and the Netherlands, are also witnessing a noticeable slowdown in the outbreak, indicating the efficacy of public health efforts and community participation in tracking cases and preventing transmission.
Cases have been recorded from 101 areas. However, just 52 new cases have been reported in the last seven days. The nations with the most cases include the United States (17,994), Spain (6,543), Brazil (4,693), France (3,547), Germany (3,467), the United Kingdom (3,413), Peru (1,463), Canada (1,228), and the Netherlands (1,160).
Monkeypox Symptoms
Monkeypox causes rash on, or near the genitals, or butthole. The visible symptoms can also affect other places such as the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.
Before healing, the rash will go through numerous phases, including scabs.
Other symptoms of monkeypox can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Exhaustion
- Muscle aches and backache
- Headache
- Respiratory symptoms (e.g., sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
You may experience all or only a few symptoms:
- Sometimes, people have flu-like symptoms before the rash.
- Some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms.
- Others only experience rashes.
Conclusion
We might see more outbreaks during the acute period of monkeypox. Therefore, it is crucial to prepare for a pandemic even now. Perhaps the situation will resemble the coronavirus, but you should not panic. You may check with your doctor often and pay attention to coughing or related ailments.