“As of today, there are no conditions for a pandemic to occur in Europe. But the problem is that the European Commission classifies this virus as an agent that can be used for bioterrorism. That says a lot. This virus is more resistant than other viruses”, emphasized S. Čaplinskas to Eltai.
As the World Health Organization (WHO) declares an international emergency due to the rapid spread of smallpox in Africa, a virologist points out that the virus actually has alarming properties.
“The WHO is currently calling for an active monitoring of the situation and to be prepared so that it does not happen as happened almost 40 years ago with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV – ELTA). Then this virus jumped the species barrier and for a long time people did not understand what was happening. This is what led to the fact that we now have a global AIDS pandemic,” noted S. Čaplinskas.
According to him, the monkeypox virus can be transmitted through mammals and its spread is extremely fast.
“It spreads much faster and causes a more severe clinical course. If it happens that the virus spreads, for example, among rodents or some other mammals, people will also get infected from them,” explained the professor.
“People can become infected with the virus during direct contact or contact with surfaces contaminated with the secretions of another infected person. The contagious stage from the appearance of the rash to the last rash usually lasts about four days,” he added.
The virologist emphasized that the virus poses the greatest threat to those with a weakened immune system.
Vaccination against monkeypox can provide immunity
According to professor S. Čaplinskas, protection against the b strain of the virus can be provided by vaccination against monkey pox. However, according to him, there is a shortage of vaccines in areas where the virus is spreading rapidly.
“Cross-immunity is provided by the smallpox vaccine. Since smallpox was eradicated, smallpox vaccine production capacity was not high. Now the problem is that it is necessary to resume the production of smallpox vaccine, especially where the virus is spreading more widely, for example in African countries, “said the virologist.
According to him, in order to protect themselves from possible infection or planning trips to dangerous areas, only 67 persons have been vaccinated against monkeypox in Lithuania so far.
“Lithuania had bought about 700 doses of this vaccine. However, as far as I know, only 67 people who assessed the risk of encountering the virus or planned to go to Africa got vaccinated”, S. Čaplinskas commented on the situation.
ELTA reminds that last week the WHO announced that the outbreak of monkeypox in Africa has become a global public health emergency – the organization has introduced the highest level of alarm. According to WHO data, more than 14,000 cases were recorded in Africa this year. new cases of monkeypox.
2024-08-21 19:44:11