Five individuals hospitalized in Moscow Region
Reports indicate that five individuals have been hospitalized in the Moscow Region with suspicions of a new disease. Among them are three men and two women aged between 21 and 35 years. It is believed that they came into contact with an infection source on October 10 before seeking medical attention.
All five patients were taken to a hospital in the region, where their conditions have been assessed as moderate. Currently, tests for monkeypox have not been conducted, so an official diagnosis remains unconfirmed.
The Ministry of Health of the Moscow Region stated that the hospitalized individuals are in satisfactory condition and showing no clinical signs of the disease. They are under close medical supervision.
A comprehensive set of epidemiological measures has been initiated, including issuing orders for disinfection. An epidemiological investigation is underway to identify any additional contacts.
Earlier on October 2, a 28-year-old employee from a plague research institute in Irkutsk died. According to Russian media, on September 25, a vial containing the plague pathogen reportedly broke in the laboratory. The woman was hospitalized four days later, but later succumbed. Russian authorities claim the cause of death was pneumonia. Reports suggest a second infection case was also suspected within the institute.
On October 8, the regional governor, Igor Kobzev, announced the lifting of a quarantine that was imposed following the laboratory technician’s death. The Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing asserted that “all preventive measures have been fully completed” in relation to the recent illness and the death of Daria Shipilova from the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute.
Context
- Monkeypox is a rare viral disease transmitted to humans from animals, according to the WHO. Its symptoms in humans resemble those seen in past patients with smallpox, but are less severe. Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness, and skin rashes.
- Monkeypox generally self-resolves, with symptoms lasting from 14 to 21 days. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for this disease, but prior vaccination against smallpox provides a high level of protection against monkeypox.
