Recomandări ECDC: Cum ne putem proteja de variola maimuței și de ce trebuie să evităm contactul cu animalele de companie, dacă suntem infectați

Persoanele infectate trebuie să rămână izolate pînă cad crustele și să evite contactul cu persoanele imunodeprimate și cu animalele de companie. Este indicată abstinența sexuală și evitarea contactului fizic cu alte persoane pînă la vindecare. Persoanele infectate ar trebui să stea izolate și să aibă

Why does ECDC recommend that cases should avoid contact with pets?

Mammalian pets, particularly rodents, are susceptible to the monkeypox virus. If these pets transmit the disease to wild animals, there is a risk that the disease could become endemic in Europe in those animal populations. Therefore, close collaboration between human and veterinary public health authorities is needed to prevent the disease from being transmitted to wildlife.

How can I protect myself and others against monkeypox?

Infected people should remain isolated until scabs fall off and should especially avoid close contact with immunosuppressed persons and pets. Abstaining from sexual activity and close physical contact is also advised until the rash heals. Cases should remain in their own room when at home, and use designated household items (clothes, bed linen, towels, eating utensils, plates, glasses), which should not be shared with other members of the household.

Close contacts of monkeypox cases should self-monitor for the development of symptoms for 21 days after the last exposure and should avoid close physical contact with young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised persons until MPX is excluded.

Caregivers and relatives should avoid touching skin lesions with their bare hands, wear disposable gloves, and observe strict hand hygiene.

The clinical manifestation of monkeypox is usually mild, like in most of the cases reported in Europe to date. In Nigeria, the West African clade has been observed to have a case-fatality rate of 3.3%. Mortality is higher among children and young adults, and immunocompromised individuals are especially at risk of severe forms of the disease. Most people recover within weeks.

Gay sex stigma and monkeypox Monkeypox is not a ‘gay disease’ and gay men are not to be blamed or shamed for the outbreak. Stigma is counterproductive. Monkeypox is nothing to be ashamed of and is not associated with a specific sexual orientation. Do not let stigma prevent you from accessing the healthcare you need. You can help by combatting stigma, sharing information, paying attention to symptoms, and if diagnosed, by following the recommendations of your healthcare provider (e.g. by self-isolating and helping health authorities to notify close contacts).