The first suspicious case was identified in Greece – Transferred to Athens – EVROS NEWS
The first suspect case of smallpox in monkeys, evaluated by the Greek health authorities. This is a British tourist, 29 years old, who had traveled to Kefalonia with his partner for a vacation.
The young man has skin rashes and other symptoms reminiscent of those of monkey pox.
The health authorities of Kefalonia, which evaluated the incident, characterize it as suspicious for the blessing of the monkeys. The transport of the man was organized by EKAB with all the relevant security measures. It was transported in a special capsule (like the Covid19 cases) for the protection of public health.
The 29-year-old is being evaluated in detail by the scientific staff of the “Attikon” Hospital, where he was transported, in order to determine if he has indeed been infected by the virus that causes the monkeys’ blessing.
The British tourist with his companion, that is asymptoticwere admitted to “Attiko” to be treated in negative pressure rooms.
EODY received samples for confirmation of examination which were sent to the reference laboratory and the results that exist on Monday.
In special capsule The 29-year-old’s companion was also transported by the same C-130 aircraft, as the health authorities and the staff of EKAB decided that the strict health protocol applicable to infectious diseases should be applied.
The situation in Europe
At least two cases of smallpox in monkeys have been located in Berlin, the health services of the German capital announced today, a day after the first case of Germany was recorded in Munich.
The Berlin ministry said in a statement that more cases were likely to occur in the coming days. The patients are in stable condition and from the analysis of the genome it will be determined from which strain of the disease they have been infected.
After the first case was identified, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said that he was aware that the virus was not as easily transmitted and that an outbreak could be contained if health authorities acted quickly.
First case in Israel as well
The Israel the first case of monkey pox, a disease commonly found in West Africa.
He is a 30-year-old man who recently returned from a trip to Western Europe, said a spokesman for Isilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. According to the Ministry of Health, this man, who shows only slight symptoms, had come in contact with a patient abroad.
Cases have been reported so far in many western countries, such as France, Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA.
THE World Health Organisation in the coming days to give new instructions to countries on how to reduce the spread of the disease, said David Hayman, head of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Infectious Diseases and Outbreaks (STAG-IH).
Hayman stressed that the monkeys’ blessing is not like the first days of the Covid-19 pandemic, because it is not so easily transmitted. They suspect that they may be exposed to the virus or that those with symptoms such as rash and fever should avoid close contact with other people.
“Vaccines are available but the most important message is that you can protect yourself,” he added.
Source: protothema.gr