Türkiye has found 5 monkeypox cases, says minister

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Türkiye has found five monkeypox cases, Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca has announced.

Four of the patients completely recovered from the disease and discharged from treatment while one is isolated, Koca told reporters late yesterday (August 1) following a cabinet meeting in Ankara.

"The main reason why it is not commonly seen in our country is that it is transmitted by very close contact and by close and long-time contact in a closed environment," he explained.

The disease poses neither a risk of an epidemic in Türkiye nor of a global pandemic, he added.

Türkiye announced its first monkeypox case on June 30.

Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. The disease could begin with fever, enlarged lymph nodes, back pain, and muscle aches before a rash appears on the skin.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that monkeypox is likely more widespread than official numbers indicate and urged vigilance. (VK)