International: Monkeypox cases confirmed in Israel, Switzerland and Austria

12:00pm on 23 May 2022

By Joe Wickins, Caitlin Gill 

Israel, Switzerland and Austria are the latest countries to confirm cases of monkeypox.

Over 80 cases have been confirmed in recent outbreaks throughout the US, Canada, Australia and Europe. 

In total, 15 countries have reported outbreaks of Monkeypox.

Monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the illness tends to be quite mild.The virus is most common in remote parts of Central and West Africa.

The World Health Organisation says a number of other suspected cases are being investigated and warned that more infections are likely to be confirmed.

Although there is no specific vaccine for monkeypox, several countries have said they are stocking smallpox vaccines, which are about 85% effective in preventing infection because the two viruses are quite similar.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.