Speaking about the monkeypox virus, which caused the World Health Organization to declare a 'global emergency', Infectious Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Vedat Turhan said, “Symptoms can be confused with many diseases. The smallpox vaccine, which was abandoned after 1980, may become widespread again. Especially in international hotels, points where tourists come and where there is a high circulation, if an individual infected with monkeypox virus remains, the virus can spread to the points of frequent contact. Cleaning procedures should be carried out more meticulously, authorities, personnel and those who use the facilities in tourism centers and hotels should be very careful.”
The World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of a 'global emergency' for the second time after 2022 against the 'Mpox' virus, popularly known as monkeypox, caused concern all over the world. While the Ministry of Health reports that the virus, which is seen especially in the African continent, was not encountered in Turkey in 2024 and that there is no need for any restrictions or additional measures, experts warn. Prof. Dr. Vedat Turhan from the Infectious Diseases Department of Medicana Zincirlikuyu Hospital gave information about the virus and stated that the disease is not as contagious as Covid-19. Prof. Dr. Turhan stated that attention should be paid especially at tourism points against the virus that alarmed the world and listed his warnings.
“Symptoms can be confused with many diseases”
Giving information about the monkeypox virus, Infectious Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Vedat Turhan said, “The monkeypox virus is not a new virus. It posed an epidemic-sized danger for the first time in 2022. It started to infect and spread to people. Currently, the monkeypox virus is back on our agenda as it carries a global risk that will exceed African borders. Similar to the smallpox virus, in addition to symptoms such as fever, weakness and malaise, there are fluid-filled vesicles on the arms, hands, legs and feet, mostly on the face, and then they can become inflamed. These types of skin lesions are also present, so it is important to pay attention. Fever, weakness and malaise are symptoms that can be seen in many infections. It can be confused with many diseases such as influenza, especially influenza, flu infections, seasonal diseases, colds. In the period when the rash starts, it can be confused with diseases such as chickenpox, which we call childhood rash diseases. Lymph nodes can also be involved in monkeypox. Whether our patient has traveled to an African country or had contact with people from Africa in the last 1-2 months is extremely critical at the point of differentiation. One of the important reasons why the World Health Organization has brought this global transmission risk to the agenda is that it can be a fatal disease.”
“There is a serious problem with vaccination in African countries”
Speaking about the number of cases and treatment, Prof. Dr. Turhan said, “The number of cases reported so far is around 15-16 thousand. There is a death risk of around 3 percent. As far as I know, there is a serious problem with vaccination in African countries. Logistical support for antivirals that have been developed in recent years cannot be provided. As of now, supportive therapies can be provided and it may be recommended to keep their immune systems strong. It is useful to avoid hand and skin contact with suspicious people. We need to maintain proper and necessary hand washing habits. We have information that there is transmission between partners after sexual intercourse. We know that those vaccinated with the smallpox virus vaccine are protected against this disease. The smallpox vaccine, which was abandoned after 1980, may be reintroduced. At this stage, we can think that this problem is primarily a problem for the African continent. There are very few cases reported from Europe. It is necessary to be somewhat careful in our country as well. It is not as contagious as Covid, it is useful to take precautions in our country right now, but I never think it is at the crisis level. There is global mobility, both tourism, commercial and industrial, and it is difficult to prevent this. However, it is necessary to be careful when traveling to Africa, both arriving and departing. In addition to our citizens, our institutions and airline companies also need to take precautions starting from customs. Maybe some measures can be taken down to the seating arrangement on the plane, but I don't think there should be a shutdown, etc. We know that it is more severe in individuals with problems related to the immune system. One of the reasons why the WHO has issued a global alert is that the new variant can be transmitted more easily. We know that it can be limited and the spread of infection can be prevented by isolating people who are infected with the disease as soon as possible.”
“Virus can spread to the points where the skin is frequently in contact”
Prof. Dr. Turhan, who warned the citizens during these days of intense tourism activity, said, “Especially in international hotels, international guests, tourists and points where there is a high circulation, if an individual infected with monkeypox virus has stayed there, the virus can spread to some places in the patient's room, especially to the points where the skin is frequently in contact such as sheets and duvet covers. At this point, it is necessary to be very careful in hotels. I think it is important to wash the beds, sheets and duvet covers more carefully, and cleaning processes such as ironing should be carried out more meticulously. It is useful for guests to be careful at this point. Another area; tourism centers. We said 13 countries in Africa, but this virus has probably spread to 75 countries in the world, and there may be areas infected by individuals from these countries. It is the summer period, there is no need for a closure, but there are areas where we need to be careful. Both in tourism centers and hotels, it is beneficial for the authorities and personnel working in these areas, as well as the tourists and citizens using the facilities to be careful.”
İHA Haber Kodu: 20240816AW268779