Health officials in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have stepped up security and monitoring measures to prevent the potential spread of the monkeypox virus. In particular, they urged medical institutions to remain vigilant about the new virus to detect it at an early stage.
Earlier, the World Health Organization held an emergency meeting to discuss the outbreak. Currently, about 80 cases of infection have already been detected in 11 countries of the world, and another 50 are under investigation.
Thus, cases of infection have been confirmed in Italy, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, the USA, Canada, and the UK. The WHO announced the likelihood of the spread of monkeypox in Europe and around the world with the possibility of the emergence of local strains.
In Dubai, the authorities have increased the level of epidemiological surveillance of cases of monkeypox. According to the protocols of the Dubai Health Authority, anyone who is found to have the disease must be isolated in a medical facility, and everyone who came into contact with him must be tested.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Health issued similar instructions, specifying that the UAE is highly likely to import the virus from abroad amid an increase in international travel. Health care workers are required to immediately report suspected and identified cases of the disease.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention said it is “closely monitoring any suspected cases” of the monkeypox virus disease and is fully prepared to combat the spread of the virus. The ministry is currently investigating and assessing the severity of the disease at the local level.
Monkeypox is a rare infection usually carried by wild animals in central and western Africa. This virus can be contracted from rodents, such as rats, mice, and squirrels, through contact with blood, and body fluids, and also by eating the meat of an infected animal (in violation of the cooking technology).
Transmission from person to person occurs by contact-household and airborne droplets, that is, by touching an infected person, his bed linen or towel, by coughing or sneezing. The incubation period is from 5 to 21 days.
Symptoms of the disease include high fever, headache and muscle pain, back pain, trembling and chills, loss of appetite, etc. A secondary symptom is a blistering rash on the face and body. Symptoms usually disappear after two to four weeks.
The ministry urged the public not to spread rumors, to use the information only from official sources, and to follow the instructions of local health authorities.