Five people who had contact with a person suspected of being infected with monkeypox have been hospitalized in Zhukovsky, in the Moscow region. Medics said the patients are undergoing examination. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Condition of patients
Doctors assess the condition of the five hospitalized individuals (three men and two women aged 22 to 35) as satisfactory. At present, no clinical manifestations of the disease (characteristic rash, fever, enlarged lymph nodes) have been detected in them.
Laboratory tests
Biomaterial has been collected from all contacts for in-depth laboratory testing. The samples have been sent to a specialized reference center.
Anti-epidemic measures
Specialists from the regional office of Rospotrebnadzor immediately launched a sanitary-epidemiological investigation. The focus of possible infection has been worked out, and the movement routes and full circle of contacts of the potential patient have been established. Premises have been ordered to undergo disinfection.
Authorities' statement
Authorities emphasize that the situation is fully localized and under strict control of the agencies. Modern test systems are available in Russia that allow a rapid confirmation or refutation of the diagnosis.
Previous cases
Earlier in February of this year, isolated imported cases of the infection had already been recorded in the Moscow region, but experts assess the risks of widespread monkeypox spread in the country as minimal.
Earlier, Kursiv wrote about concerns over a possible plague outbreak in Russia and the death of a 28-year-old employee of the anti-plague institute in the Irkutsk region. It was initially reported that she had broken a test tube before that. 197 people who had contact with the patient are under medical observation.
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