The Ministry of Public Health warned about the danger of infection due to rubbing against people showing signs of being affected by the disease caused by the Orthopoxvirus virus according to the classification of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Avoiding physical and even intimate contact with individuals with rashes or blisters and intensifying hand hygiene are the most important suggestions, they said.

The most frequent manifestations of the disease, according to the alert issued, are rashes similar to pimples or blisters, fever, headache and general malaise with mucosal involvement.

As in other contagious pathologies, they suggested avoiding friction with clothes, sheets or towels and surfaces that have been used by someone infected.

Finally, they advised prompt medical consultation at any sign of infection in order to act quickly and prevent spread.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom recently declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, the second time in two years.

The disease, first detected in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is considered endemic to the countries of Central and West Africa.

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