Doctors request mandatory monkeypox screening upon entry into the TRNC

The Turkish Cypriot Medical Association urges the Ministry of Health to introduce mandatory screening for monkeypox upon entry into the TRNC. The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency due to the outbreak of the disease in Africa.

This decision was made in response to the increase in cases of monkeypox with a new variant in African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, and Uganda, as well as the risks of possible infection beyond the continent, according to the Turkish Cypriot Medical Association.

Doctors remind that monkeypox has symptoms similar to regular smallpox but is milder. The mortality rate is 4-5% in adults and 10% in children. High-risk groups include children under 1 year old, people with weak immune systems, those with a history of eczema, and pregnant women.

The disease is accompanied by headache, muscle pain, back discomfort, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and a rash. The rash, which appears as flat red spots, starts on the face 1-3 days after the onset of fever, then spreads to the body. It then turns into blisters and pustules, eventually crusting over and healing.

The monkeypox virus is transmitted to humans from animals, through human-to-human contact, and through contaminated surfaces. The disease can also be transmitted sexually, through close skin contact, conversations, or breathing.

To protect oneself, it is important to stay away from infected people and animals and wash hands after possible contact.

Although monkeypox is usually mild, it can cause serious health problems, including death. Therefore, patients need to be isolated to prevent the spread of the disease.

To take necessary precautions, the Ministry of Health should convene the High Committee on Infectious Diseases with a special agenda on monkeypox and develop a roadmap as soon as possible, according to the medical association.

In particular, doctors believe that "it is necessary for people and students arriving in Northern Cyprus from countries where monkeypox has been detected to be screened for possible infections to prevent a potential epidemic in the TRNC".