Following the spread of cases of monkeypox around Europe and the world, the Albanian Committee of Immunization Experts has convened to discuss the evolving situation and decide on vaccination recommendations.
The board comprises Minister of Health Ogerta Manastirliu, head of the Department of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases at the Institute of Public Health Silva Bino, Professor Najada Como and other experts.
“The Committee of Vaccination Experts has decided to issue a recommendation to enable those who have been in close contact with confirmed cases of monkeypox, to use the smallpox vaccine. Studies show that this vaccine has a 85% efficacy in protecting against monkeypox,” Manastirliu said.
She added that preparations are being made in the IPH laboratory to test for the virus, while collaboration is ongoing with other reference laboratories.
“Currently, we are collaborating with reference laboratories in London and the Netherlands so we can have the option of transferring immediately those samples we suspect are contaminated,” she said.
While Albania is low-risk in terms of the virus and no cases have been identified so far, Manastirliu said it is necessary to be cautious, adding that staff have been made aware of what to look out for in local health centres around the country.
Bino added that while the virus presents few risks, those who are considered at-risk can receive the smallpox vaccine, in addition to those who come into contact with confirmed cases.
The monkeypox vaccine is an orthopoxvirus which is in the same family as the now eradicated smallpox virus. It is a self-limited disease with symptoms that last between two and four weeks. The virus has a fatality rate of between 3-6% but is generally not serious. Transmission occurs through close bodily contact via bodily fluids, lesions, respiratory droplets and contaminated material such as bedding, according to the World Health Organisation.
While the disease is endemic in some countries, now the outbreak has spread around the world with 257 confirmed cases.
