Richard Brennan, director of health emergencies for the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization, ruled out any impact on the Hajj season due to the current outbreak of monkeypox.

Brennan pointed out that “It is enough to take the necessary precautions, early surveillance mechanisms, contact tracing and education of pilgrims, and in case of any case of injury, the Saudi health system is very efficient, so that it can deal with any emergency.”

Brennan expressed dismay at some of the information and misconceptions about the disease that have been reflected in some issues, including vaccines as an important countermeasure tool, pointing out that “we don’t need comprehensive vaccination campaigns like Covid-19 using old smallpox vaccines or new vaccines.” Designated against monkeypox, but at this stage it is enough to take basic preventive measures to control the disease, such as isolating patients, tracing contacts and improving surveillance and laboratory testing.

Brennan explained: “Simpox disease is much milder than chickenpox despite the similarity of their symptoms such as fever, body aches, rashes and suppuration, and he said that most patients receive supportive care without the need for hospitalization, and these supportive care represent is a group of drugs aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease.