Around 80 monkeypox patients have been identified in 11 different countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that more cases may be detected. It said it was still trying to learn more about 50 other suspects without naming any countries.
Meanwhile, according to Reuters, Monkeypox had been found in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Monkeypox is most common in Central and West Africa’s remote areas.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. No monkeypox cases have been identified in any Asian country.
The Daily Star spoke with Prof Dr Nazrul Islam, former vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and member of the Ministry of Health’s National Technical Advisory Committee on Coronation; Prof Dr ABM Abdullah, prime minister’s personal physician; and Dr Mushtaq Hossain, advisor, Institute of Pathology, Disease Control and Research, IEDCR, to find out what kind of preparation Bangladesh needs to tackle monkeypox.
They have focused on increasing public awareness about the monkeypox virus. They also advised going to the hospital if any smallpox symptoms were present. The hospitals were asked to collect patient samples and send them to the IEDCR. Passengers arriving from outside the country were advised to have their health checked at the airport.
Dr Nazrul Islam said, “No special warning has been issued for monkeypox in Bangladesh yet. Our government has yet to make a statement about the virus. Monkeypox inserts the body through the nose. You cannot come into contact with anyone else if you are infected with this virus. To protect yourself from the virus, wear a mask and wash your hands frequently. For coronaviruses and monkeypox, the same rules apply. At airports, anyone showing signs of monkeypox should be quarantined for at least 14 days.”
Despite the fact that there is no specific treatment for monkeypox, health experts around the world claim that the smallpox vaccine is 85 percent effective in preventing the disease.
When asked if our country has a smallpox vaccine, Dr Nazrul Islam replied, “There is no smallpox vaccine in Bangladesh. Smallpox is no longer a threat. As a result, there is no vaccine. However, there were 12 research labs in various countries around the world. I’m not sure how many there are right now.”
Dr ABM Abdullah said, “It takes 2-4 weeks to recover from Monkeypox. People coming from outside the country, particularly those from Africa, must be cautious in order to prevent the virus from spreading. The virus is still being studied. As a result, nothing can be said in great detail. Everyone, however, should be aware.”
Dr Mushtaq Hossain said, “Necessary steps must be taken to determine whether the virus has entered Bangladesh or not. The IEDCR or the Directorate of Health Services must be notified if any chickenpox patients are identified. There’s no need to be concerned. However, we must remain vigilant.”
“The monkeypox virus is found in a variety of animals,” he explained. “The country’s livestock scientists must conduct extensive research on this. Human patients need to be examined by the IEDCR, while animals should be examined by the Department of Livestock. People can be made aware of it quickly if we can detect it early.”
“In the past, people who hunted animals or worked in zoos had monkeypox,” he said when asked if a special initiative for monkeypox was needed. “It is now spreading again among humans. So, caution is necessary.”
“At our airports, thermal scanners measure body temperature. As a result, there is no need for anything extra just yet. A person with a skin rash should be admitted to the hospital. If it spreads widely, airports will need to take separate measures,” he added.
Vaccines against the monkeypox virus have also been developed. It has been successful when applied to the bodies of animals. If this vaccine is administered to humans, it should be done so as trials. This disease occurs every year in Africa, especially among those who hunt in jungles or forests.
Translated by Tanjeel Rezwan
