Japan’s health ministry has approved the use of a smallpox vaccine believed to be effective against monkeypox
The smallpox vaccine approved by the ministry is thought to be 85 per cent effective against monkeypox, health officials said
The move came after Japan confirmed two cases of the disease in late July
As for treatment, the health ministry is looking into a medication called tecovirimat, which is an oral medication also used to treat smallpox
Symptoms of the tropical disease, spread through close physical contact, are similar to those of smallpox and include fever, extensive rashes, skin lesions and swollen lymph nodes
The incubation period can range from 5 to 21 days, Tokyo health officials said
Health ministry said it is creating a system whereby local health authorities will be able to test for monkeypox and is urging further domestic cases of the disease to be promptly reported
Whether to provide vaccinations for medical staff, laboratory personnel and health centre workers requesting to be vaccinated will also be discussed by officials, the ministry said
The World Health Organisation has declared monkeypox a global health emergency amid a global outbreak of the disease
As for Japan’s supply of the smallpox vaccine, the ministry said it is currently sufficient