Health officials in Armenia called a press conference today in response to reports that the first case of monkeypox, a rare viral disease, transmitted mainly to humans from wild animals (rodents, primates), was recorded in neighboring Georgia.
Lusine Paronyan, head of a department at the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said as of June 15, there had been 1,704 confirmed cases of monkeypox reported in 34 countries with no reported deaths. She said the bulk of the infected people are young men.
Paronyan said Georgian health authorities were taking an array of measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Armenia, in turn, is cooperating with the WHO.
"To date, it is encouraging that all recorded cases were accompanied by characteristic symptoms, unlike coronavirus, which could be asymptomatic," she pointed out.
The epidemiologist said customs officers at Armenian border crossing points are informed about the symptoms of the disease - high temperature - from 38.5 degrees and a rash that appears within 1-3 days -not to miss suspicious cases of the disease transmitted through airborne droplets, biological fluids and close contacts, including sexual.
Asked about whether Armenia may close its border with Georgia, Paronyan said that currently WHO does not recommend restricting the movement. Besides, she pointed out that the borders have not been closed in any country where cases of the disease have been registered.
To protect against infection, experts urge caution and avoiding communication with people who have the characteristic symptoms of monkeypox.
In some countries the disease is treatment at home, but it is still recommended to isolate the infected person and follow anti-epidemic norms. It is also not necessary to take antibiotics because they are ineffective against viral diseases.
Paronyan said Armenia has appropriate laboratory facilities for research and they will be used to study suspicious cases.
Svetlana Grigoryan from the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told Novosti-Armenia that new generation smallpox vaccines are effective against monkeypox. According to the WHO, they are 85% effective in preventing monkeypox and other diseases caused by orthopoxviruses.
"At the moment there is no way to organize vaccination because even the WHO is not proposing it. If the WHO proposes the use of vaccines, then negotiations will begin with manufacturers to buy vaccines Right now there is no such need," she said.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, muscle and back pain, enlarged lymph nodes, chills and fatigue. Skin rashes on the face and other parts of the body may also occur.
According to WHO, the normal case fatality rate in monkeypox outbreaks is between 1 and 10%. However, most deaths occur in younger age groups. --0--
