On 16 October, Russia reported four laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox in St Petersburg. The patients have been hospitalised and their condition is assessed as moderate. In the Moscow Region, a further five people who have been in contact with a suspected carrier of the infection are under medical supervision: they are asymptomatic and are awaiting test results.
Briefly about the main points
- Four cases of mpox have been laboratory-confirmed in St Petersburg.
- Hospitalised patients are being treated at the Botkin Hospital.
- Those who had been in contact with the patient in Zhukovsky were taken to Ramenskoye Hospital.
- They have no symptoms or clinical signs of the disease.
- Rospotrebnadzor is conducting an epidemiological investigation and has issued an order to carry out disinfection.
Patients in St Petersburg were taken to an infectious diseases hospital
Russian media outlets REN TV, *Kommersant* and local media reported on the hospitalisation. According to SHOT, the people were taken from a residential building on Piskarevsky Prospekt in the Krasnogvardeisky district and transported to the Botkin Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital.
According to initial reports, the patients had a high temperature and swollen lymph nodes. «Fontanka» also reported on the hospitalisation of people with monkeypox, citing its own source; however, at the time of publication, the publication was still clarifying the exact number of cases.
People who have been in contact with the case in Zhukovsky are asymptomatic and are awaiting test results
The individuals were admitted to hospital on 15 October following contact with a person suspected of having mpox. They are three men and two women who lived in the same flat; the probable exposure to the source of infection took place on 10 October.
They are at the Ramenskaya Hospital. The chief medical officer Serhiy Markitan told Interfax that all the patients are in a satisfactory condition. Samples have been taken from them for testing, and the results are due to be provided by Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection.
The health service is identifying those who have been in contact with the patient and carrying out disinfection
The regional office of Rospotrebnadzor has launched a sanitary and epidemiological investigation following reports of a possible outbreak in the Moscow Region. Experts are identifying those who have been in contact with infected individuals, organising anti-epidemic measures and issuing an order for disinfection to be carried out.
The department stated that the situation is under control. There is no official confirmation of a large-scale spread of mpox between regions.
How is mpox transmitted, and when should you see a doctor?
Mpox is a viral infection transmitted primarily through close physical contact with an infected person. The World Health Organisation lists a rash, fever, headache, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue as possible symptoms.
The infection may be more dangerous for children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. The WHO recommends avoiding close contact with people who have characteristic symptoms, washing your hands and seeking medical advice if you suspect you have been infected.
