Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Healthcare considers the risk of a widespread mpox outbreak in the country to be low but does not rule out imported cases. Health screening and quarantine measures have therefore been strengthened at border checkpoints.
«Given the reported cases in several countries around the world … the possibility of the infection being imported into Kazakhstan cannot be ruled out. The risk of widespread mpox transmission among the population is considered low, taking into account the characteristics of pathogen transmission,» the ministry said in a statement.
To prevent the infection from being imported and spreading, Kazakhstan has tightened health screening at its borders. Border checkpoints have been equipped with non-contact thermometers, and medical facilities and laboratories are ready to detect the disease. Procedures are also in place to ensure coordination between agencies if a particularly dangerous infectious disease is suspected. These measures are being implemented under a directive issued by Kazakhstan’s Chief State Sanitary Doctor.
According to the ministry, health screening across all modes of transport has so far found no travelers suspected of having mpox.
Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close physical contact with an infected person, including contact with rashes and bodily fluids. The virus can also spread through contaminated clothing, bedding and other items, as well as through contact with infected animals.
The main symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash.
As a preventive measure, the Ministry of Healthcare recommends avoiding close contact with people who have unexplained skin rashes or other signs of infection.
If symptoms of mpox appear, especially after travel to countries where cases have been reported, medical advice should be sought and the doctor informed about the trip and any possible contact with infected people.
Previous reports said that five people suspected of having mpox had been hospitalized in Russia.