Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A question about monkeypox spreading in a number of countries was answered by Deputy Head of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Service, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Nurmat Atabekov. 

“According to the WHO, monkeypox has been detected in 14 states,” N. Atabekov said. - In particular, the number of infected people is approaching 90, another 30 people are suspected of having the disease. No lethal outcomes were recorded. 

The virus did not appear yesterday or today. It was identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 52 years ago. Special cases of infection were observed in Central and West Africa.

Monkeypox is reported to be transmitted to humans from monkeys in most cases. Mostly found in people who traveled to endemic areas and came into contact with animals.

The exacerbation of the virus in the world began on 7 May. It was found in a tourist who flew in from Nigeria.

It was diagnosed with a specific rash. After that, it became known that about ten people were infected with the virus in this country.

Sometime later, information came about cases identified in the United States, Canada, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Australia, Israel and Switzerland.

It is known that the disease is mild and goes away on its own.

Despite this, WHO calls on countries around the world to strengthen preventive measures.

So what is this virus and how to protect yourself from it?

According to experts, there are no special drugs against this virus, but a number of countries are trying to prevent the spread of this virus by vaccinating against chickenpox. Because the two types of virus are similar, and the chickenpox vaccine can resist with 85 percent effectiveness.

In Uzbekistan, cases of infection with monkeypox have not yet been registered. At this time, based on WHO warnings, the necessary measures are being taken to prevent the entry of this infection into our country.