Baku: Azerbaijan’s Health Ministry has highlighted the primary symptoms associated with mpox and outlined several protective measures. The risk of contracting the virus, also known as monkeypox, is notably higher among individuals with multiple sexual partners, those with open wounds and broken skin, and individuals with immunodeficiencies, according to Tayyar Eyvazov, a specialist-expert at the Ministry of Health and an infectious disease specialist.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Eyvazov also elaborated on methods to safeguard against the virus. He emphasized that patients not needing hospitalization should isolate at home. Individuals infected with mpox, particularly those exhibiting respiratory symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, and sore throat, should wear a medical mask. If this is not feasible, for instance with young children, other family members should wear a medical mask when in proximity to the patient.
To further reduce the risk of transmission, patients’ skin should be kept covered, for example by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Individuals in contact with patients, as well as those handling contaminated clothing, bedding, or materials, should maintain hand hygiene and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Bedding, towels, and clothes of the patient can be cleaned in a standard washing machine using any detergent, while eating utensils can be washed in a dishwasher or by hand with warm water and detergent. Contaminated surfaces should be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
It has been reported that the first case of mpox infection has been detected in Azerbaijan.