Argentina detects the first suspected case of monkeypox

The Ministry of Health confirmed today that the first suspected case of monkeypox was detected in Argentina. “It is under investigation,” they said.

As indicated from the portfolio that leads Carla Vizzetti It is about a man who lives in the city of Buenos Aires and is isolated. Ministry sources pointed out that presents “good overall condition” and it is “receiving symptomatic treatment”.

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The patient had traveled to Spain between the last April 28 and May 16.

The Ministry of Health of the Nation indicated that to carry out the investigation a sample was taken from this person for etiological diagnosis, which are under analysis in the INEI-ANLIS National Reference Laboratory Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán.

“While the results are awaited, a working table was formed with the province of Buenos Aires and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires to coordinate clinical, diagnostic and epidemiological actions in order to confirm or rule out the case, provide adequate clinical care and implement all focus control measures to avoid a possible transmission”, they specified.

As a result of the international notification of the first cases of monkeypox in non-endemic countries, the national government formed a work team “with the aim of initiating surveillance of the new event and generating specific recommendations for health teams and the population.”

As of yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 28 laboratory-confirmed cases and 12 suspected cases of monkeypox. in 12 non-endemic countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States).

“In these cases, a history or link with endemic areas has not yet been confirmed,” warned the portfolio led by Vizzotti through a statement, specifying: “The scope of community transmission is not clear yet at this stage and, therefore, , there is the possibility of identifying more cases. However, it should be noted that monkeypox virus is considered to have moderate human-to-human transmissibility.”

Recommendations for the population

Given the discovery of a suspicious case, the national government issued a series of recommendations for the population. What must be considered:

“Any person who have compatible symptoms (especially rashes) and a history of travel to areas where there are cases and/or involves some risk exposure with suspected, probable or confirmed cases, you should take social isolation measures (not going to school, work, social events, etc.) , implement respiratory protection measures (proper use of a mask, ventilated environments and distance from other people) and consult with the health system immediately”.

Close contact with infected people is the most important risk factor for infection with the virus.

Exposure to a case is considered if:

● Has had exposure without respiratory protection (particularly relevant for health workers)

● Direct physical contact, including sexual contact

● Contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding

If a person has had risky contact with a suspected or confirmed case of monkeypox during the infectious period, from the onset of symptoms of the case until all the scabs of the skin lesions have fallen, the following precautions must be observed:

● Check your temperature twice a day

● As long as you remain asymptomatic, you can continue with routine daily activities, but you should stay close to home for the duration of surveillance

● Strict clinical-sanitary follow-up will be carried out for 21 days from the last contact with the case.

● If the person develops a rash, they should be isolated and evaluated as a suspected case, and a sample should be collected for laboratory analysis to detect monkeypox.

● You should not donate blood, cells, tissues, organs, breast milk or semen while under surveillance for symptoms

● In the case of preschool children, it is recommended to avoid them going to nurseries or other group settings.

Source: Elcomercio

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