Christoph Boesecke: Monkeypox outbreak – Diagnosis, symptoms and guidelines

Since 13 May 2022, rising cases of monkeypox have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) across the United Kingdom and Europe, and even some cases in the US and Canada. Based on currently available information, cases have mainly but not exclusively been identified amongst men who have sex with men seeking care in primary care and sexual health clinics.¹

touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES spoke with Dr Christoph Boesecke (University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany) to discuss the rising cases of monkeypox in the UK and Europe, the populations at highest risk and the clinical presentation of the disease such as patients presenting with an atypical rash that progresses in sequential stages – macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, scabs, at the same stage of development over all affected areas of the body.¹ Dr Boesecke also discusses the current UK and EU guidelines and regulations around monkeypox.

1. How many cases of monkeypox have been identified and what do you consider the current risk to public health? (0:24)
2. Which populations are at highest risk of contracting the disease? (1:19)
3. What is the usual clinical presentation of monkeypox and are current cases presenting with the typical symptoms? (1:45)
4. What do you consider the reasons for the rapid pace of this epidemic? (2:44)
5. What are the current UK and EU regulations around monkeypox? (3:34)

Disclosures:  Dr Christoph Boesecke has nothing to disclose in relation to this video interview

Support: Interview and filming supported by Touch Medical Media. Interview conducted by Katey Gabrysch.

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References:

1. World Health Organization. Multi-country monkeypox outbreak in non-endemic countries. 2022. Available at: www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON385 (accessed 17 June 2022).