The infectious disease specialist named the previous main symptoms of smallpox in monkeys

Discovered in the late 1950s, monkey pox can initially manifest itself in headaches and muscle pain, as well as in the early days provoke an increase in regional lymph nodes. On February 1, Georgy Vikulov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, director of the Scientific Research Center for the Prevention and Treatment of viral infections, an infectious disease specialist, immunologist, and allergist at the Moscow State University University Clinic, told Izvestia.

According to the expert, this DNA-containing virus is mainly found in the animal population — its distributors are most often primates and rodents, but it can also be contracted from an infected person. This process occurs, as explained by the doctor, during sexual contact with the patient or when using objects in common with him, such as towels and garments. In addition, there are cases when smallpox was transmitted by airborne droplets.

"The incubation period does not exceed two weeks. But there are symptoms before the appearance of a detailed clinical picture. These are muscle pain, headache, maybe fever, maybe enlargement of regional lymph nodes. These symptoms precede the appearance of a rash. Accordingly, when rashes and blisters already appear, this is already a detailed clinical picture," Vikulov said.

Rashes usually cover the palms and feet of the infected person, and in particularly severe cases they become "generalized" and manifest throughout the body, including the surfaces of the mouth, eyes, and genitals. This phenomenon, as specified by the interlocutor of the publication, is painful and can be accompanied by quite noticeable itching.

The duration of monkeypox, just like chickenpox, varies from two to three weeks. This disease is especially dangerous for immunocompromised categories of patients, those with immunodeficiency, and young children, although adults usually suffer from it, Vikulov added.

"Monkey disease usually goes away without a trace, but it can be fatal. On average, about 4-5%, 4-5 people out of 100, are at risk of having a very severe course with an unfavorable fatal outcome," he concluded.

On February 28, the press service of Rospotrebnadzor reported that there is no risk of the spread of smallpox in the Russian Federation. The agency, as emphasized in the statement, continues to monitor the epidemiological situation in the world after the World Health Organization decided to maintain the emergency status amid the spread of the disease in the world.

Later, on February 1, Rospotrebnadzor reported that an epidemiological investigation was underway in connection with the hospitalization of a person with suspected monkeypox in the Moscow region, and on the same day, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Deputy President of the Russian Academy of Education Gennady Onishchenko urged citizens not to be afraid of this disease. According to him, the country has all the necessary means to counter it.

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