Mpox: Healthcare Ministry recommends Kazakhstani tourists to take precautions

The Kazakh Healthcare Ministry recommends Kazakhstani tourists to take precautions due to a monkeypox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its spread, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus of the Poxviridae family. Its main symptoms may develop within 5 to 21 days after exposure. It may cause fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

For the past six months, global mpox cases reduced significantly compared to the peak of the mpox outbreak with 30,721 cases recorded in August 2022. Mpox is endemic to countries in central and west Africa.

As of today, no mpox cases have been detected in Kazakhstan. Sanitary and quarantine border checkpoints take measures to identify suspected mpox cases among international travelers.

The Kazakh Healthcare Ministry recommends Kazakhstani tourists set to visit endemic countries to avoid close contact with persons suspected of contracting mpox or infected animals (monkeys, rats, squirrels, etc.),  wash hands often with soap and water, and use sanitizers to curb mpox spread.

If you have symptoms like a rash, fever, or chills visit a doctor for diagnostics and treatment.