TRNC Ministry of Health issues Monkeypox warnings: Symptoms, ways of spread, personal precautions

The TRNC Ministry of Health on Friday released a statement about the monkeypox outbreak explaining what the symptoms of Mpox are, how Mpox spreads and what personal precautions to take.

Drawing attention to the fact that cases of monkeypox virus have increased in Africa, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, since 2023, the Ministry of Health said, “After the cases spread to neighboring countries as of January 2024, the World Health Organization declared the Monkeypox Virus a “global emergency” at the Emergency Committee meeting on August 14, 2024.”

It was reported that on August 15, 2024, the Communicable Diseases High Committee and the Infection Control Committee convened with the monkeypox virus on the agenda and determined the necessary precautions to be taken, public awareness to be raised and the path to be followed in case a possible case is seen in our country.

Here are the paths to follow as announced by the Ministry of Health:

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MPOX?

Mpox disease causes fever, headache, fatigue, generalized body aches, and skin lesions (rashes). Symptoms appear an average of 6–13 days after exposure to the virus. Skin rashes appear 1–3 days after the onset of fever and are more common on the face, arms, and legs than the trunk. The disease usually lasts 2–4 weeks and resolves on its own.

WHAT ARE THE WAYS OF SPREADING MPOX?

It can happen in several ways. The virus can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected human body fluids, skin lesions, or close contact with infected animals or inanimate objects (clothes, towels, sheets, bedspreads, etc.) contaminated with the virus.

WHAT ARE THE PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN?

-Hands should be washed regularly
-Eating and drinking utensils or glasses should not be shared.
-Close skin contact with people who have a rash should be avoided,
-Appropriate personal protective equipment (mask, gloves) should be used when caring for infected people.
-Avoid direct contact with bed linens, towels or clothing of people with Mpox.
-If you have the symptoms of monkeypox mentioned above or if you think you have been in close contact with someone with mpox, you should consult a Dermatologist and Venereologist, Infectious -Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist or Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist as soon as possible to get information about testing and treatment.