Russia Confirms First Case Of Monkeypox Detected In Young Man Who Just Returned From A Trip To Europe

Illustrated. (Wikimedia Commons / Vitebsk Popular News / Serge Serebro)

JAKARTA - Russian authorities announced the country's first case of monkeypox infection, detected in a person returning from a trip to Europe on Tuesday.

"The first case of monkeypox was confirmed in Russia. The disease was detected in a young man who returned from a trip to European countries and came to a medical facility with a characteristic rash," the press service of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare told the journalists, cited from TASS July 12.

"Biological material taken from the patient is rushed to a sanitary facility. The supervisory facility is authorized to carry out appropriate tests. The results of the biomaterial test confirm monkeypox infection," the agency continued.

The press service also noted that the patient had a mild form of the disease and his life was not in danger: "The patient is isolated and is in a special medical facility for infection."

It said they also added that the man had had a limited number of contacts since his arrival in Russia and that he lived alone in his apartment. According to the press service, all the people he contacted have been assigned and are under medical supervision.

"The situation is strictly controlled by the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare," the statement said.

The first cases of monkeypox in Russia were detected thanks to the availability of a test system by the Vector Center and there are quite a few of these systems in Russia, according to the sanitation watchdog.

In addition, the mass inoculation of smallpox carried out in Russia previously created a substantial layer of immunity to curb the spread of monkeypox.

Sanitation supervisors emphasized that the symptoms of monkeypox were similar to smallpox but not too severe. However, it is advisable to use basic precautions and personal protective equipment when contacting those arriving from countries where outbreaks of this disease are recorded.

"Those visiting African endemic countries should avoid contact with animals that can transmit the virus, especially with rodents and primates," the agency concluded.