Health Ministry: Incubation period of monkeypox can be up to 21 days

The incubation period for monkeypox infection can be from 6 to 13 days, sometimes up to 21 days, said Rita Ismayilova, deputy director of the Center for Control of Especially Dangerous Infections under the Azerbaijani Health Ministry, Report informs.

She said that during the period of infection (0-5 days), there might be high fever, severe headache, lymphadenopathy (enlargement of lymph nodes), back pain, myalgia (muscle pain), and severe asthenia (weakness): “Lymphadenopathy is considered a pathognomonic symptom of monkeypox compared to other diseases with similar initial symptoms (chickenpox, measles, smallpox). The clinical picture of monkeypox resembles the manifestations of infection with natural pox (belonging to orthopoxviruses and wholly eliminated). Natural smallpox is characterized by high infectivity and a high mortality rate (30 per cent of cases). The last natural infection with smallpox occurred in 1977. In 1980, after a global vaccination campaign, smallpox was completely eliminated. Vaccination with the natural smallpox vaccine based on the cowpox virus was stopped 40 years ago in all countries. New vaccines, diagnostic methods and antiviral drugs are being developed at the global level to prevent infection with smallpox.”

Talking about the initial symptoms of monkeypox, the deputy director noted that the formation of rashes on the skin begins 1-3 days after the rise of body temperature: “Rashes are relatively common on the face and extremities. Ninety-five per cent are mainly observed on the face. In 75 per cent of cases, it damages the palms and the soles. Besides, rashes are formed on the mucous membrane of the mouth (70 per cent), genitals (30 per cent), conjunctivae (20 per cent), as well as the cornea of the eye.”

According to Ismayilova, no case of monkeypox infection has been recorded in Azerbaijan: “The process is carefully monitored by the health institutions of our country and the epidemiological situation is under control. The Center for Control of Especially Dangerous Infections has all the potential for laboratory diagnosis of disease cases by PCR. I would advise our citizens to use medical masks and observe hygiene rules in closed spaces. At the same time, it is essential to use disinfectant solutions in public places. We hope that by following all these rules, we will prevent the spread of the virus in our country.”