The medical services are on alert to deal with any case of monkey pox (pox) found in Cyprus, although the risk of such is very low, said Director of Medical Services and Public Health Services, Elisavet Constantinou, to KYPE. He said that in Cyprus from 2022 to today, five events have been found.
“We as the Ministry of Health are evaluating our preparation, that is, we are examining all the resources we have and updating our protocols. We value our preparation from day to day, we deal with the matter. As soon as there is an alarm in a public health event, an emergency, it is our duty to respond. In Cyprus from 2022 until now we have had only five events,” he said.
He said “we are alert, we are waiting, and we are preparing regardless of the fact that the risk is very low. We participate in all the meetings of ECDC competent bodies of the World Health Organization every day”, he said.
Mrs. Constantinou said that vaccinations can be done at adult vaccination centers every day in every city and when someone wants to be vaccinated it is available.
He also said that there are some suggestions and recommendations for travelers to visit countries where this disease is going out, which are African countries.
“We recommend that they get vaccinated before visiting these countries and also be careful to avoid contact and communication with people who seem to have a rash and who may be infected,” he said.
When asked, she said “we also have pharmaceutical preparations, we have stocks, we also have enough stocks of vaccines that are involved”.
He also said that the appropriate examination method is being used in two centers – the General Hospital of Nicosia, the microbiological laboratory and the Institute of Neurology and Genetics – which are in place and are already conducting tests.
“Based on ECDC’s risk assessment, the likelihood of contracting the disease is very low for EU citizens who have not traveled or do not intend to travel to areas where the disease exists. The risk is very low,” he said.
More attention, he said, should be given to vulnerable people, people who are reduced, elderly people, people with long-term illnesses. “They should avoid contact with people who have been diagnosed and may be infected, go to crowded places and use personal protective measures such as hand washing, etc. “
