This happens if monkey cups are detected in Norway – VG

Just updated

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So far, no cases have been proven in Norway, but Oslo municipality has started infection tracking after a foreign person who visited the capital in early May, has been confirmed monkey pox.

This happened after the person returned to his home country.

But what happens if monkey cups are detected in Norway?

Chief physician Preben Aavitsland in FHI says that there are mainly two things that will happen then:

• The person who has been diagnosed with the infection is asked to isolate themselves at home
• Infection trackers will work with the infected person to find close contacts, so that they can be followed up and get information.

Beyond that, FHI does not envisage other measures.

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Not very contagious

The virus is less contagious than airborne viruses, such as the coronavirus. It is also not a very dangerous virus. In the West African variant, which is also assumed to be the one in Europe, they have operated with a mortality rate of less than 1 percent.

The viral disease is most common in Congo, but has spread to other countries in Central Africa. The first case in Europe was confirmed in the UK on May 7, from someone who had been traveling in Nigeria.

Since then, there have been cases in Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Australia, the United States and Sweden.

Although women can be affected on an equal footing with men, said department director at FHI, Frode Forlandto VG Friday that the infection they are so far familiar with has occurred among groups of young men who have sex with men.

There are several from the same environments who have been infected in different countries. These can be places you visit and have skin against skin contact, such as sex clubs.

However, monkey cups do not spread easily between humans, says Aavitsland.

– It will normally not be able to cause any epidemic.

– Free for monkey cups

Sweden got itss first case on Thursday. Doctor at the Swedish Public Health Agency, Klara Sondén, said Expressen Saturday that a tool may be to introduce recommendations aimed at those who are infected.

– For example, you can say that “you must not be sexually active in this phase of infection”.

Belgium on Friday introduced 21 days of self-isolation for those infected with the virus, writes The Brussel Times.

Even though Norway has not yet been diagnosed with the infection, it is likely that it can come to Norway, according to Aavitsland.

– We almost have to reckon with the fact that some cases appear in Norway as well.

Nevertheless, FHI does not want to have monkey cups in the country.

– We want the country to remain free of monkey cups. Although no one has died from monkey pox in western countries, the disease can be unpleasant and in some cases very serious, Aavitsland explains.

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Vaccination not clarified

Sweden has classified monkey pox as a generally dangerous disease.

Aavitsland believes it is unlikely that this will happen in Norway.

– Our preliminary analysis is that we have the tools needed even without such a classification.

Norway also has a vaccine, and FHI has previously told VG that they are considering whether it is relevant to buy more.

How a possible vaccination should take place is not decided.

– We are now investigating in consultation with other European countries whether it is relevant to vaccinate people who have been exposed to infection, in an attempt to prevent or alleviate their disease, says Aavitsland.

FHI has not clarified whether close contacts of infected people should be offered a vaccine.

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