According to Nurmat Otabekov, deputy head of the Service for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health, no cases of monkeypox have been detected in Uzbekistan yet.

The expert recalled that monkeypox among humans was first identified in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Monkeypox is most common in Central and West Africa. Outside this region, its pathogen is most often carried by people and animals who have been there.

Nurmat Atabekov also stressed that the disease is generally mild and goes away on its own in a few weeks.

Outbreaks of the disease on their territory this week were confirmed by the authorities of the United States, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, France, Italy, Sweden and Australia. Around 80 confirmed cases of infection have been reported worldwide, but the World Health Organization (WHO) is talking about another 50 patients with suspected monkeypox, without naming the countries where they were detected.

There is no specific vaccine against monkeypox virus, but the smallpox vaccine provides good protection because the two viruses are very similar.

The Deputy Head of the Service for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health reiterated that cases of monkeypox have not yet been detected in Uzbekistan and the relevant departments are taking all measures to prevent and protect public health.