The existing monkeypox break out began previously this year with a couple of individuals in Europe and was unusual in that few cases included travel to areas where the infection is endemic, such as in Western and Central Africa. TS: Does the degree of the existing break out suggest that monkeypox could become endemic in Europe and or the US?AR: Weve constantly known that as the population immunity to poxviruses wanes, were likely to see a boost in cases of monkeypox and other pox viruses. We do understand something about this virus; we have a base, however we have to comprehend the epidemiology in this brand-new context and all the implications.TS: The large bulk of cases in the current break out involve men whove recently had sex with other males, and the infections spread has actually been connected to social and sexual networks.
The present monkeypox break out started earlier this year with a couple of people in Europe and was uncommon in that couple of cases involved travel to areas where the virus is endemic, such as in Western and Central Africa. To find out more about the monkeypox infection and the current outbreak, The Scientist spoke with Anne Rimoin, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles. TS: Does the level of the current break out suggest that monkeypox could become endemic in Europe and or the US?AR: Weve always known that as the population immunity to poxviruses wanes, were most likely to see a boost in cases of monkeypox and other pox infections. Weve seen more and more cases of pox infections worldwide. We do know something about this infection; we have a base, but we have to comprehend the epidemiology in this brand-new context and all the implications.TS: The large majority of cases in the present outbreak involve guys whove just recently had sex with other males, and the viruss spread has been connected to sexual and social networks.
