The monkeypox disease is raging again in the world. The disease has already been observed in neighboring countries. Two people have been infected with the disease in Russia. Let us remind you that the monkeypox disease has spread around the world since 2022. During that period, no infection with this disease was registered in our country. In total, only 167 deaths from this disease were observed in the world. But now the countries of the world are sounding the alarm again. How risky is monkeypox for Azerbaijan? Can the danger from our neighbors come to our country? How to protect ourselves from this trouble?
Vaccination measures should be taken
Tayyar Eyvazov, a specialist-expert of the Ministry of Health, an infectious disease specialist, says that the transmission of the virus occurs through contact with a sick animal, human or virus-contaminated materials: “Viruses enter the body through damaged skin, respiratory tract or mucous membranes (mouth, nose, eyes). . Animal-to-human transmission occurs directly through bites, scratches, eating game meat, bodily fluids, and indirectly through wound materials. Human-to-human transmission is thought to occur primarily through large respiratory droplets. Long-term and close contact is necessary for infection.”
According to T. Eyvazov, the latent period of the disease is usually 5-21 days. In the initial period, which can last up to five days, there is fever, severe headache, enlargement of lymph nodes, back and muscle pain, sometimes catarrhal and gastrointestinal symptoms: “1-3 days after fever, a characteristic blistering rash resembling a natural flower appears. It starts from the face and moves to other parts of the body. The main risk groups are pregnant women, immunocompromised persons. Prevention of infection consists of following hygienic rules and vaccination measures.
All primary preventive measures are taken
The official of the ministry said that no cases of infection with this infection have been registered in our country. In order to prevent the spread of the infection, all preliminary preventive measures are implemented by the relevant institutions: “In general, the epidemiological situation is stable and under control, taking into account other infections in Azerbaijan. Tests for laboratory examination of the monkeypox virus and necessary medicines against the disease have been brought to our country. As for the monkeypox vaccine, vaccines are produced in small quantities and distributed only to countries endemic for this virus.
All countries are at risk
Vasif Aliyev, an infectious disease specialist, thinks that all countries are at risk because the disease is global in nature: “It has been present in Africa for two years now, and it has appeared since 2022. There are two types of monkeypox. The second type is considered lighter than the first type. That is why it is very important to get infected with the type of virus. Although monkeypox is widespread in African countries, infections are already observed in other countries. For this reason, Azerbaijan is also included in the risk group. Because it is possible for the virus to spread from one country to another during travel. Medicines against this disease have been brought to our country.”
It’s neither chicken pox nor coronavirus
V. Aliyev compared monkeypox with other diseases: “Symptoms of monkeypox are vesicular rashes. Which is similar to chicken pox. But it is bigger in size. Also the location is different. It is mostly seen on the limbs, arms, legs, and face. Not so much in the body. At the same time, such wounds can be seen on the insides of the hands and feet, on the palms. High fever is also present in this disease. But it differs from the coronavirus. Because the coronavirus passed mostly through the respiratory tract. The monkeypox has skin rashes. Similar characteristics are passed from person to person. “Monkeypox can infect humans from mice and squirrels.”
Representatives of this generation are in danger
According to the infectious disease specialist, this disease could be prevented by smallpox vaccination, but people are not vaccinated: “According to statistics from the Congo, the risk of death from this disease is five percent. People who have previously been vaccinated against smallpox are protected against this disease with a probability of 85 percent. Because monkeypox is included in the same family of diseases. There is only one point here, since the 1980s, vaccination against the smallpox virus has not been carried out. From that point of view, representatives of the generation after that year are included in the risk group. Especially young children and people with chronic diseases can experience this disease in a more severe form. Complications and causes of death are pneumonia, sepsis, encephalitis, and vision impairment.”
The doctor also gave recommendations to the citizens: “People who have rashes similar to chicken pox, fever, especially those who have traveled, should be examined by a doctor. If monkeypox is suspected, the first thing to do is to conduct a test and diagnose the patient. After the diagnosis, contact with other people should be avoided. Contact should be localized to avoid risks. That is, the patient should be isolated.” (“Kaspi” newspaper)
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