The Arab Emirates on Tuesday became the first Gulf country to announce a case of monkeypox, claiming to be “fully prepared” for any possible outbreak of this rare virus.
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The infected person is a 29-year-old woman who arrived from West Africa, according to a statement from the Emirati Ministry of Health, which added that she was undergoing medical treatment.
“We have put in place a specific process for patients suspected” of being contaminated, he said.
“The technical team for pandemic control has also prepared a comprehensive guide for surveillance, early detection of the virus, management of infected patients and precautionary measures,” he said.
The Emirates are the second country in the Middle East to announce a case of monkeypox, after Israel on Saturday.
Monkeypox or “simian orthopoxvirus” is a rare disease whose pathogen can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa.
Its symptoms resemble, but less severe, those observed in the past in subjects with smallpox: fever, headache, muscle pain, back pain, during the first five days. Then appear rashes, lesions, pustules and finally scabs.
There is no cure for monkeypox, which usually resolves on its own and symptoms last 14 to 21 days.
