Laos 🇱🇦

Monkeypox Outbreak: Country Details

Monkeypox virus disease outbreak in Laos: case counts, deaths, and statistics

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal.

How do people in Laos get monkeypox?

Monkeypox is primarily spread through contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or skin of infected animals, such as rodents or primates. It can also be spread through close contact with an infected person. This can include contact with an infected person's skin, especially if the person is experiencing a rash, or contact with an infected person's respiratory secretions, such as saliva, mucus, or semen. In addition, monkeypox can be spread through contact with objects that have been contaminated with the virus, such as bedding or clothing.

Monkeypox is not as contagious as smallpox and is not as easily spread from person to person. However, the risk of infection is increased among people who live in or have recently traveled to areas where monkeypox is known to occur and among people who have had close contact with an infected person or animal.

It's also important to note that people who have been vaccinated against smallpox are at a lower risk of getting monkey pox.

This page shows data for the monkeypox disease outbreak currently taking place in Laos. This outbreak is part of the larger outbreak taking place in Asia, specifically in South-Eastern Asia.

How many monkeypox cases are there in Laos?

Based on the most recent reports available from the government in Vientiane, health authorities in Laos have reported 1 new case and 0 new deaths. The people of Laos have experienced 1 total case since the start of the outbreak.

You can use the charts on this page to explore the spread of Monkeypox in Laos. Lastly, you can see how the Laos Monkeypox situation compares with the situation globally on the MonkeypoxTracker homepage.

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Source: OurWorldInData. Last update: Wed Sep 27 2023

Are there limitations to the monkeypox case datae?

There are several limitations and shortcomings in official monkeypox case data that can make it difficult to fully understand the extent of the disease and its spread. Some of these include:

• Underreporting: Monkeypox is a rare disease, and it can be difficult to diagnose. This means that many cases may go unreported, which can lead to an underestimation of the number of people affected by the disease.
• Limited surveillance: In some areas where monkeypox is known to occur, there may be limited surveillance systems in place to detect and report cases. This can make it difficult to accurately track the spread of the disease.
• Misclassification: Monkeypox can present with similar symptoms to other viral diseases, such as chickenpox, making it difficult to diagnose. This can lead to misclassification of cases and inaccurate data.
• Lack of laboratory confirmation: In some cases, monkeypox may be diagnosed clinically, without laboratory confirmation. This can lead to uncertainty in case classification, especially in regions where other similar diseases exist.
• Non-specific symptoms: Monkeypox symptoms are non-specific and can be easily confused with other diseases, this can make it hard to confirm the diagnosis.

Overall, the limitations and shortcomings in official monkeypox case data highlight the importance of ongoing surveillance and improved diagnostic tools to accurately detect and track the disease.

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