Russia's consumer rights and human welfare watchdog offered to provide assistance in training specialists to African countries affected by the mpox epidemic, the agency said in a press release on Thursday.
“Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare [Rospotrebnadzor] has formulated suggestions for the provision of scientific and technical assistance in training specialists to the African countries affected by the epidemic, as well as to the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention,” the statement said.
The agency further recommended avoiding direct contact with animals that could potentially carry the virus. People are also urged to observe personal hygiene rules and wear masks when in contact with others.
The CDC in Africa declared a public health emergency on Tuesday due to the mpox outbreak across the continent. The center's official stressed that the move is essentially a "clarion call for action." As of early August, the CDC data confirmed 38,465 cases and 1,456 deaths in Africa since January 2022.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a rare viral disease that is transmitted to humans from wild animals such as rodents and primates and can also be spread through human-to-human transmission.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, malaise, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that progresses from spots to blisters to ulcers. In mild cases, the disease resolves on its own and lasts from two to three weeks.