Monkeypox epidemic impossible in Russia - Rospotrebnadzor expert

MOSCOW. May 25 (Interfax) - An epidemic of monkeypox, cases of which have been reported in a number of countries, is impossible in Russia, as there is a group of people vaccinated for natural smallpox, Viktor Maleyev, advisor to the academic director of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor)'s Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, said on the Rossiya-24 television channel (VGTRK).

"You see, no. After all, no such epidemic is possible here. Why is it impossible here? Because we still have a category of 'vaccinated elderly'. They still exist," Maleyev said.

In addition, Russia has a monkeypox testing system to prevent the importation of such cases, he said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported the detection of monkeypox cases. Portugal, Spain and the UK are the top three countries affected by monkeypox (they have reported from 21 to 30 cases each). Cases have also been reported in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Israel and the United States.