Monkeypox infected will be kept in three weeks' isolation in Malta

Isolation for a period of three weeks is required for those who have been diagnosed with monkeypox.

Detailed information about the European Union's vaccination strategy was added at 5:12 p.m.

Those who have been diagnosed with monkeypox have been given the instruction to quarantine themselves in their homes for a period of 21 days, and those who are showing symptoms have been instructed to do the same while also seeking medical attention.

Despite her reassurances that the virus is still rather moderate, Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci has decided to release these guidelines in response to an increase in the number of reported cases of the virus in Europe.

As of right now, there is just one confirmed case of monkeypox in Malta. This case was discovered when a man aged 38 who had recently been to another country where the epidemic was taking place tested positive for the disease.

According to Dr. Gauci, all patients who test positive for the virus are required to remain in obligatory isolation for a period of 21 days, beginning with the day the swab test is performed.

According to what she shared with the Times of Malta, "close contacts are not necessary to isolate as long as they do not exhibit any symptoms."

In the event that they acquire symptoms, they are obliged to seek quick medical attention and immediately begin isolating themselves from others.

In Malta, monkeypox has just been designated as a statutorily notifiable illness. This means that each time a clinician or laboratory suspects or confirms a case of the virus, they are required to report their findings to the relevant public health authorities.

"Eliminate the possibility of spreading."

The virus may cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, swollen glands, muscular pains, back discomfort, and a general lack of energy. This is then followed by a rash, which may appear anywhere between one and three days after the first reaction.

Gauci said that the number of these lesions may vary anywhere from a few to several thousand and that they often cluster on the face, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet.

In order to determine whether or not the rash is caused by a virus, a sample of the lesions that are causing the rash is collected and submitted to a laboratory for testing.

Gauci urged anybody who was experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention immediately in order to reduce the likelihood that they might infect others with the illness.

"It would be prudent to phone before and let them know your worries and to refrain from going to the clinic in order to reduce the danger of spread," she added. "It would be good to contact ahead and let them know what your concerns are."

She advised that until a differential diagnosis was carried out by a trained medical practitioner, the individual in question should refrain from utilizing public transit and should also avoid having direct contact with other people.

Additionally, it is recommended that they maintain proper hand hygiene at all times.

She went on to explain that the rash that is characteristic of monkeypox might be mistaken for the rash that is caused by other illnesses such as secondary syphilis, herpes, chancroid, and chicken pox.

A stress that is not as intense

Gauci emphasized once again that infection with monkeypox is often not serious and that the strain that is presently circulating is related to a strain that is less severe.

The vast majority of people who have the infection will feel well within a few weeks without needing any kind of medical attention.

She did note, however, that new-born, young children, and persons with existing immunological weaknesses could be at a greater risk of experiencing difficulties as a result of the procedure.

"Such problems include skin infections, pneumonia, disorientation, and eye infections, which may lead to loss of eyesight," she added. "Such infections can also lead to loss of vision."

To this day, there is no vaccination available to protect against monkeypox; however, the vaccine used to treat smallpox (MVA-BN, which is also known as Imvamun, Imvanex, or Jynneos) provides protection against monkeypox that is around 85 percent effective.

According to Gauci, those who have previously had a vaccination for smallpox are likely to have some protection against monkeypox because of the previous vaccination.

Vaccines against smallpox that were developed in the past are no longer made accessible to the general public, and those who are younger than 50 years old are very unlikely to have been protected by them.