Monkeypox— a rare virus that can spread through contact with skin, body fluids, including those released during respiration, contact with contaminated materials and medical instruments. Those infected with the virus may experience symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes. The next stage occurs within 2-4 weeks — rash all over body. The rash usually goes through several stages before the crusts fall off.
Travelers should avoid:
-close contact with sick people, including those affected patches of skin;
– contacts with wild animals — both dead and alive, such as small mammals, including rodents (rats, squirrels), and primates, i.e. monkeys;
-eating game meat (birds and animals) and using products produced from African wild animals (creams, lotions, powders);
-contacts with contaminated materials used by sick people (clothing, bed linen), equipment and tools in medical institutions, materials that infected animals have come into contact with.
As of the end of last week, 92 laboratory-confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox had been reported to the World Health Organization from around the world.
Doctors suggest pre-vaccination against smallpox could provide protection against the virus as well Monkeypox.
The new virus is most prevalent in Central and West Africa, with none of the cases having been in dangerous regions where monkeypox commonly occurs, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria.  ;
According to experts, “the risk to the general population is low”, however, travelers should “seek medical attention immediately if a new, unexplained skin rash develops on any part of the body, with or without fever and chills, and avoid contact with other people, i.e. quarantine immediately.
Belgium was the first country to introduce a mandatory 21-day quarantine for smallpox monkeys.