He added, “The Ministry of Public Health states that smallpox is caused by a virus that is transmitted to humans:
– Either from animal to human through contact with infected animals (rodents or monkeys) in countries where the virus is endemic, such as: Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), Cameroon and the Central African Republic.
Either from human to human through direct contact with skin lesions, droplets or sexual relations, or indirectly through contaminated tools.
The statement pointed out that “the incubation period lasts from 5 to 21 days. The following symptoms include: fever, headache, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle pain, fatigue, and then a rash that develops from macular papular to vesicular pustular, starting from the head and spreading to the body and extremities.
He continued, “When diagnosed, the patient is requested to isolate the patient for the duration of the illness. Isolation is adopted at home if the symptoms are mild. Isolation is requested in the hospital in the event of infection (pneumonia) infection.”
And the Ministry of Health confirmed in its statement, “With regard to close contacts, it is requested that they be identified and followed up for 21 days without the need to quarantine or home. In the event that symptoms appear in the contacts, laboratory tests are requested and they are isolated, and for more information, you can contact the hotline 1787.”
