The first case of monkeypox virus has been reported in Azerbaijan, according to a joint statement by the Ministry of Health and the Administration of the Regional Medical Divisions (TABIB), Report informs.

A 22-year-old Azerbaijani citizen who traveled to a foreign country for tourism on January 2-11, a few days after returning, visited one of the clinics in Baku with symptoms including weakness, fever, blistering rashes in the genital area, enlarged lymph nodes, and muscle pain.

According to the statement, the infectious disease specialist suspected monkeypox virus infection based on the patient’s symptoms, and through collecting patient history, determined that the person had traveled to another country and had contact with someone who had a rash during the trip.

It was stated that along with the symptoms, the epidemiological connection provided grounds for laboratory testing, and the PCR test result of the swab taken from the patient’s rashes was positive for the monkeypox virus.

Currently, the patient is hospitalized and receiving treatment.