Detailed information about Monkey pox and recommendations on how to protect ourselves he gives with his announcement o EODYafter the WHO and CDC raised the alert level for the spread of the disease.

The first case outside of Africa was recorded in Sweden and according to experts’ estimates, an increase in cases is expected in Europe in the near future, due to frequent movements.

Read in detail the EODY update and the vaccination recommendations and precautions that citizens should take:

On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Mpox epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The WHO made this move due to the increase in cases in the DRC and the detection of cases in 4 neighboring countries (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda) of a new strain of the virus belonging to the phylogenetic group Ib. In addition, the new strain in the PRC appears with increased disease severity and a reported mortality of between 3% and 4%. It should be noted that the reported mortality reflects the conditions in the specific country and the significant under-reporting of mild to severe clinical forms of the disease.

On 14/08/2024, the first case of Mpox phylogenetic group Ib was reported in Europe in a traveler from Africa.

The transmission of the disease from person to person occurs mainly through contact with skin lesions/bodily fluids of the sufferer and after prolonged close contact at a short distance and less often by contaminated objects.

In the PRC and neighboring countries, the main reported modes of transmission are sexual contact, living in the same household environment as sick people, and transmission within the health care setting (in the absence of appropriate personal protective equipment). Transmission after contact with live or dead wild animals is also reported.

In our country, vaccination against smallpox started on July 22, 2024 at Attikon and Andreas Syggros hospitals. Currently, vaccination is indicated for high-risk groups as described on the EODY website (https://eody.gov.gr/disease/proin-eylogia-ton-pithikon-mpox/). In the next period, 5 more vaccination centers will operate in Thessaloniki, Alexandroupoli, Crete, Patras and Athens.

With regard to citizens who are going to travel to the countries mentioned above, it is recommended to take increased precautionary measures, that is to avoid contact with a) potentially infected people and especially with those who show skin lesions, b) wild animals (live or dead), such as small mammals, including rodents (rats, squirrels) and primates (monkeys, monkeys), c) contaminated surfaces and items used by patients (clothes, bedding, etc.) or that came into contact with wild animals.

Also, during the trip, the consumption or preparation of meat from wild animals should be avoided () the use of products (creams, lotions, powders) derived from wild animals and medical attention should be sought immediately in the event of an unexplained skin rash (damages to any part of the body), with or without fever and chills. If symptoms appear after returning from travel tell your doctor or health care provider about travel during the last 21 days before the onset of symptoms.

In addition to travelers, the same instructions apply to workers in these countries as well as to seafarers whose ships approach ports in the affected countries.

For more information about precautionary measures and what to do if you get sick, you can contact the EODY on the phone line 210 5212054 24 hours a day.

Finally, it is noted that instructions have been given to the entry gates of immigrants from the countries with cases, for the early recognition of possible cases and their management, as well as the immediate adoption of public health measures.

Although the risk is currently estimated to be low for transmission of the disease in our country, EODY is informing the public, raising awareness among health personnel for early diagnosis and informing public health authorities. At the same time, a network of laboratories (KEDY, PEDY of Crete, AUTH) operates to ensure laboratory diagnosis, which will be strengthened when deemed appropriate.

The Deputy Minister of Health Irini Agapidaki stated “From the first moment, EODY has implemented the plan we have developed for the prevention and early detection of the cases that may appear in our country from the new outbreak of the monkey pox disease . There is no increased concern for the general population, but for high-risk groups for which specific protection measures are already recommended. We are increasing vaccination centers, while we have already designated specific reference centers and have sufficient drugs and vaccines
in order to respond to this new public health challenge”.

EODY participates in all meetings with ECDC, WHO, and HSC of the European Union in order to formulate and implement international protocols for the management of potential incidents.