There’s no threat of the disease, formerly known as monkeypox, spreading in Russia, according to Rospotrebnadzor
The mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, will not spread in Russia, due to the country’s traditional values, the head of consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, has said, adding the government has taken all the necessary measures to detect the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency last week in light of the surge in mpox infections in Africa, calling for a coordinated international response in order to stop the outbreaks and save lives.
“Considering the specifics of how mpox is spread, I am absolutely sure that in Russia with its traditional values this disease, which is an epidemic disease, is not something we need to be afraid of,” Popova said in a video published on Monday by the Telegram channel SHOT.
The virus is transmitted through skin and mucosal contact with an infected person, contaminated materials, or infected animals. According to the WHO, it “primarily affects men who have sex with men.”
On Thursday, Rospotrebnadzor said that there was “no threat of the disease spreading in Russia” and that the government is taking “ all necessary measures to detect the infection ahead of time.” The situation is being constantly monitored, the agency added.
Russia reported its first case of mpox in July 2022 in a man who had returned from Portugal. He was then isolated in the hospital and, according to the health watchdog, the infection was stopped.
According to Popova, there have been three cases overall of mpox in Russia since the disease started spreading globally in 2022. All of those were detected and contained in a timely fashion, she said.
