The first case of monkeypox in Greece was confirmed yesterday by EODY (National Organization of Public Health). This is a man who recently traveled to Portugal and is now being treated at "Andreas Syggros" in stable condition.
Returning from the trip, the man went to the "Andreas Syggros" hospital with symptoms that go hand in hand with the disease. As pointed out in the announcement of EODY, the initial test carried out at the Central Public Health Laboratory of the Organization for non-variola orthopox virus species, which includes the monkeypox virus, was positive.
Thus, it was decided to hospitalize him.
The samples have been sent to the Laboratory of Microbiology of the Medical School of AUTh for the genomic confirmation of the monkeypox virus.
The announcement of EODY in detail:
"As of June 7, a total of 577 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 18 European countries, as well as 437 cases in 10 countries outside Europe.
Today, 08/06/2022, a case with clinical symptoms compatible with the disease was reported to EODY by the "Andreas Syggros" Hospital. This is a man with a recent trip to Portugal.
The initial test carried out at the Agency's Central Public Health Laboratory for non-variola orthopox virus species, including the monkeypox virus, was positive.
The samples have been sent to the Laboratory of Microbiology of the Medical School of AUTh for the genomic confirmation of the monkeypox virus. The patient is hospitalized in a stable condition.
"According to the epidemiological data available so far, the risk to the general population is still low, as the disease is usually mild and self-limiting and the disease is characterized by relatively low transmissibility."
Elias Mosialos: "There is no need to panic! The risk for the general population is minimal "
Following the announcement of the confirmed case of smallpox in monkeys in Greece, the Professor of Health Policy and Management at Imperial College of Science and at The London School of Economics and Political Science - LSE, Elias Mosialos, in a post on his Facebook page, points out 6 points that we should remember:
1. Since the beginning of the year we have 1400 possible cases of smallpox in Africa and 66 deaths. We now have about 1000 cases outside Africa.
2. All cases outside Africa are mild and we have not had any deaths so far.
3. Transmission of monkeypox is very difficult and only after very close contact with a sufferer or prolonged contact with objects used by the sufferers.
4. There are medicines and vaccines, including the smallpox vaccine that is effective for monkeypox.
5. We also know that older adults, who have had the smallpox vaccine in the past, are also quite protected against monkeypox.
6. The risk to the general population remains minimal and there is no need to panic or overreact.