The World Health Organization recently declared the outbreak of the mpox virus (monkeypox) an emergency of international importance. In this regard, Asia-Plus contacted the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance Service to find out how the necessary measures have been taken in the country to prevent the importation and spread of the disease.

Sohibnazar Nasrulloev, a representative of the Service, said that an action plan to prevent the spread of the disease had been developed jointly with WHO.

"Control at airports and border crossings will be strengthened. People arriving in Tajikistan from countries where cases of the disease have already been reported will undergo a medical examination," Nasrulloev said.

Nasrulloev added that the country's Ministry of Health is also developing instructions on the mpox virus. "It is planned to prepare and broadcast programs on the prevention of monkeypox through the media," he said.