The director of the Institute of Public Health, Eugena Tomini states that in Albania there are no suspected cases of monkey pox. Tomini said diagnostic capabilities are available and there is no room for panic. 

"We should not panic because it is not the same situation as with COVID-19. Syndromic surveillance, even in laboratory diagnosis we have previous experience. We have the capacity for both laboratory and human diagnosis.

The virus that causes monkey pox has the same level of postulates. Throughout the body, from the lips, it can pass to the genitals, to the thighs. They are at the same stage of clinical manifestation. We have an incubation period of 2-4 weeks. The period before the appearance of signs of temperature, fatigue, glands, we are in a period of 3-4 days, it is infectious, so he must be isolated", said Tomini. 

As for the measures, she stressed that they are almost the same as those of COVID. 

"We return to the same measures, from hand hygiene, putting on masks, because there may be secondary infections. Transmission through postulates from close contact between two individuals. All the measures we have observed against COVID, but with an added element such as skin contact increase vigilance. We are waiting for the behaviour of the secondary elements. We currently have no suspected cases of monkey pox. Until now, we have not had any suspected cases", declared Tomini. 

 According to her, those vaccinated for smallpox are 85% protected from monkey pox. 

"In 1981, everyone was vaccinated with smallpox in Albania. All of those individuals are 85% protected against monkey pox. Febrile condition, fever starts without showing acne or even accompanies it all the time because surprises can be different. In a period of 4 days  in all infectious diseases appears high fever", said Tomini further.