Filenews 3 August 2022 - by Marilena Panayi
Cyprus is now included in the map of countries with cases of smallpox, since yesterday, the Ministry of Health announced the detection of the first case in Cyprus.
A relevant announcement states that the incident was confirmed after a molecular laboratory test was performed by the microbiological laboratory of Nicosia General Hospital and concerns a man aged 40 years "with a travel history and clinical symptomatology compatible with monkey smallpox disease".
According to the Ministry of Health, "from the first moment the relevant protocols for the transfer and management of suspected and confirmed cases were put in place" and the 40-year-old, "is hospitalized in the specially designed area of the reference hospital (Nicosia General Hospital) for monitoring and further evaluation of his condition".
At the international level, on Sunday the WHO sounded the alarm for the Region of Europe, predicting, after the announcement of the first deaths from monkey smallpox outside Africa, an increase in cases in the Old Continent as well.
It is reported that, two deaths of people caused by monkey smallpox were announced from Friday (29.07) in Spain and another one in Brazil, without it being known if indeed the virus is the cause of these deaths.
Meanwhile, earlier yesterday, the Ministry of Health announced the protocol for the management of suspected and confirmed cases of monkey smallpox and their contacts.
The protocols include a description of the disease, the mode of transmission, symptomatology, ways to protect against the transmission of the disease, instructions for managing possible and confirmed cases, contact management, instructions for disinfecting premises, as well as a table and procedure with the vaccination centres against the disease, if there is a need for vaccination.
Monkey pox, as mentioned, among other things, "is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks. Serious cases occur more frequently among children and are related to the extent of exposure to the virus, the patient's state of health and the nature of the complications", while in cases of the existence of underlying diseases and especially immunodeficiency the symptoms, "can lead to worse results".
As the ministry of health points out, "although vaccination against smallpox was protective in the past, today people under the age of 40 to 50 (depending on the country) may be more susceptible to smallpox due to the cessation of smallpox vaccination campaigns worldwide after the eradication of the disease."
Complications of monkey smallpox, "may include secondary infections, bronchopneumonia, sepsis, encephalitis and corneal infection with subsequent loss of vision. The extent to which asymptomatic infection may occur is unknown. The mortality rate of monkey smallpox historically ranges from 0 to 11 % in the general population and was highest among young children. In recent times, the mortality rate has been about 3-6%".
Monkey pox is transmitted from person to person, mainly through close physical contact.
A characteristic symptom of monkey smallpox is rashes which are often itchy and appear 1-3 days (but occasionally up to 5) after the onset of fever/precursor symptom.
