GVN Statement on Monkeypox Outbreaks

May 20, 2022

Unusual outbreaks of monkeypox have recently been reported in the US, the UK, Spain, Portugal, and other European countries. The chain of transmission is currently unknown, but it is clear that it involves human to human transmission. Although the virus has been known in the past to rarely cause such human-to-human transmission, the simultaneous identification of  these infections in several countries is worrisome and its potential spread in the community is an important concern. Our response to this outbreak should be based on a rapid identification of viral infection to prevent further transmission.