So far, sequencing has not yet shown any direct link to the outbreak outside Africa, health officials say. Monkeypox is in the same family of viruses as smallpox, and smallpox vaccines are estimated to be about 85 per cent effective against monkeypox, according to WHO. European Union officials are in talks to buy more smallpox vaccine from Bavarian Nordic, the maker of the only such vaccine licensed in Europe. Dr. Adesola Yinka-Ogunleye, who leads Nigeria's monkeypox working group, said there are currently no vaccines or antivirals being used against monkeypox in her country. Jay Chudi, a development expert who lives in the Nigerian state of Enugu, which has reported monkeypox cases since 2017, hopes the increased attention might finally help address the problem.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 01, 2022 11:40 UTC