Czech Health Ministry recommends vaccination against mpox

Prague, Aug 16 (IANS) The Czech Ministry of Health and the State Health Institute (SZU) issued a statement, recommending people vaccinate and take preventive measures against mpox if travelling to areas where mpox is currently reported.

The mpox disease, formerly known as monkeypox, does not pose a risk for the Czech Republic, but caution is needed, especially when travelling to Africa, and vaccination is best, said the statement released on Thursday.

The ministry said it is monitoring the situation in Africa.

Current recommendations suggest that professionals such as healthcare workers who are in contact with mpox patients, and people who have sex with multiple partners, or those who live in a household with an HIV-positive person, should be vaccinated, Xinhua news agency reported.

Vaccination against mpox is available at medical centres in most regions in the country, said the ministry.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared mpox a public health emergency of