Monkeypox: Dubai authority's advisory lists symptoms, prevention methods

The UAE reported its first case of viral zoonotic disease monkeypox on Tuesday in a 29-year-old visitor from West Africa.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention has reassured residents that it is following all due safety measures, including investigation, contact tracing and follow-up.

Earlier today, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) had tweeted an advisory about the disease, how it spreads, symptoms and prevention methods.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Africa, and is occasionally exported to other regions.

How does it spread?

Animal to human: Through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, cutaneous or mucosal lesions of an infected animal, or eating insufficiently cooked meat from an infected animal.

Human to human (rare): Through close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or contaminated objects.

Incubation Period

The interval from the infection to the onset of symptoms is usually from 6-13 days but can range from 5-21 days.

Signs and symptoms

Fever, exhaustion, lymphadenopathy, back and muscle aches, intense headaches and skin rash which usually begins after one to three days of fever

Prevention

Treatment

• UAE detects first case of monkeypox

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