TTB President Prof. Dr. Alpay Azap explains: How is the Mpox virus detected?

Burak DEMİRBAŞ-12punto.com.tr/ EXCLUSIVE

Following a meeting regarding the Mpox virus, which emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has been seen in many African countries, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency. After the decision, the first cases began to appear in countries such as Pakistan, Sweden, and the Philippines. In Turkey, while 2 suspected cases were seen in Sakarya and Kocaeli, it was announced that the cases were not Mpox.

Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist and Turkish Medical Association (TTB) President Prof. Dr. Alpay Azap explained the uncertainties and unknowns regarding the disease to 12punto.

'IT IS NOT A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS DISEASE'

Prof. Dr. Azap shared the following regarding the detection of the virus:

"This disease does not progress without symptoms. The person definitely develops a fever, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and those blisters similar to chickenpox. There is no need for someone with no complaints to get tested for screening purposes by asking, 'Do I have it?' It is also not a highly contagious disease; since it is not transmitted through the respiratory tract, it is not transmitted by being in the same environment. It is transmitted through close contact with the infected person."

'SAMPLES ARE TAKEN FROM THE SCABS'

When asked whether there is an action plan in Turkey regarding the issue, given that flights from African countries to Turkey continue following the WHO's emergency declaration, Prof. Dr. Azap replied, "The Ministry has created a guide. There are samples to be taken from people showing symptoms of the disease. Especially from those blisters on the skin. It is necessary to take samples from their scabs and deliver them to the reference laboratory in the correct way. When it arrives, a diagnosis can be made with a PCR test. This is the method applied for suspected cases as well."

'NOT EVERY RASH IS MPOX'

Pointing out that tests and samples are taken along with symptoms, Azap made the following assessments:

The General Directorate of Public Health has a reference laboratory in Ankara. There are regional (7) laboratories working under it. Physicians need to send them there. It is logical to take samples when symptoms appear. We take samples from those rashes. Not every rash means it is Mpox. We accept these people as possible cases, especially if there is risky contact.

WHO IS A RISKY CASE?

If they have entered our country from a country where the disease is seen within the last 3 weeks, or if they have had contact with someone carrying the symptoms of the disease within the last 3 weeks.

TTB President Prof. Dr. Alpay Azap commented on the words of Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ceyhan, who stated that anti-vaccination sentiment poses a major obstacle in the fight against epidemics and said, "Eventually, Mpox vaccination will be carried out. The state should silence anti-vaxxers now," and the potential need for vaccine reserves, as follows:

'THE VACCINE NEEDS TO BE READY FOR RISK GROUPS'

"This vaccine is not a vaccine administered to broad segments of the population. It is a vaccine applied only to the risk group. There will be no obligation to get this vaccine at certain intervals as in Covid. It will not be like that in the world either. Therefore, it is not a matter of countries producing and stocking enough vaccines for their entire populations. We also need to have it ready to be applied to risk groups. Also, since the incubation period is long in this disease, this vaccine can prevent the development of the disease when administered to people who have been in contact after the contact. Therefore, it is a vaccine that is useful to have on hand."

'IT WILL NOT CAUSE A COVID-LIKE PANDEMIC'

Prof. Dr. Alpay Azap concluded his words with the following:

"There is no need for panic. This will not cause a pandemic similar to Covid. The reason the WHO declared an emergency is to draw the attention of countries, health professionals, and health authorities to this disease, and to ensure that they take the necessary precautions now, prepare their action plans, monitor the disease, and share the data with the WHO."