The first two cases of monkeypox were reported in Latin America
Argentina confirmed the discovery of two cases of monkeypox on Friday. The first of its kind in Latin America, while Europe is the hardest-hit continent.
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the number of confirmed non-endemic cases of monkeypox reached 219 on Wednesday, but there were no deaths.
France Press agency
Argentina confirmed two cases of monkeypox in the country on Friday, the first case reported by health authorities in Latin America, where the disease is not endemic.
The Argentine Ministry of Health said in a statement that a suspected case identified earlier this week was confirmed positive after additional tests, including genetic sequencing. The latter gave a “high percentage” of homology with the West African branch, a disease-endemic region.
The ministry did not give details of the patient, but according to the press, he is a 40-year-old who recently visited Spain, one of the non-endemic countries that reported the latest cases (98 on Friday).
“in isolation”
The patient is in good general condition, in isolation, and receiving symptomatic treatment. The ministry said that his close contacts, who are under strict clinical and epidemiological monitoring, have not shown symptoms so far.
In the evening, he confirmed a second documented case, that of a Spaniard who has been visiting the province of Buenos Aires since Wednesday, unrelated to the first case, and he suffers from skin lesions, a symptom of monkeypox. However, he is in “good general condition” and is also in solitary confinement.
Endemic to 11 countries in Central and West Africa, monkeypox has been detected in more than 20 other countries around the world, including the United States, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and dozens of countries from Europe. This infectious disease is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals. Transmission from human to human is possible through close and prolonged contact, but is currently considered rare.
no deaths
Its symptoms are high fever, headache, muscle pain, and then the appearance of skin rashes, lesions, blisters. Its appearance in non-endemic countries is what worries experts. So far, confirmed cases in non-endemic areas have been mostly mild and no deaths have been reported.
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Union’s disease agency, the number of confirmed cases of non-endemic monkeypox reached 219 on Wednesday, but there were no deaths.
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