- So far there are 60 confirmed cases in our country.
- The entities that group the majority are Mexico City (35) and Jalisco (12).
- On July 23, the WHO declared the monkeypox outbreak an international public health emergency.
Given the current global scenario, the Ministry of Health (SSa) published a second epidemiological notice on monkeypox. In addition, for the first time, it activated an internet portal on this disease. It is available at this link and contains information on symptoms, preventive measures, what to do in case a person is infected and links of interest.
This decision was made by the National Committee for Epidemiological Surveillance (Conave), made up of the institutions of the Health sector. The purpose is that the medical units of first, second and third level of care, Hospital Epidemiological Surveillance Units (UVEH) and members of the National Network of Public Health Laboratories (RNLSP) report suspected cases.
How many confirmed cases are there in Mexico?
Cut to July 23, Mexico registered a total of 60 confirmed cases. Of this figure, the Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (InDRE) has confirmed 59, distributed in 11 states: Mexico City (35), Jalisco (12), State of Mexico (2), Nuevo León (2), Veracruz ( 2), Baja California (1), Colima (1), Oaxaca (1), Quintana Roo (1), Sinaloa (1), Tabasco (1). Also, a case that was confirmed in the United States, with a history of stay in Jalisco.
The incubation period for monkeypox is five to 21 days. Symptomatic disease progresses in two clinical phases that are generally self-limited for two to four weeks.
main symptoms
In the first five days the symptoms are fever, severe headache, swollen glands, lower back and muscle pain, lack of desire to move or do any physical activity.
Between days one and three, after the onset of the fever, a rash appears, which usually affects the face first and then spreads to the rest of the body. The rash progresses asynchronously to skin eruptions, vesicles, small bag-like bumps containing pus, and crusts. It has been observed that the lesions can appear at the genital, perianal and perioral level.
So far there is no specific treatment and a vaccine for the disease is not widely available.
Health sector publishes second epidemiological notice and activates website on monkeypox
➡️ https://t.co/Mm6hpPftiC pic.twitter.com/dd0F1LiS0O
– HEALTH Mexico (@SSalud_mx) July 25, 2022
Any person who meets the operational definition of a probable or contact case for monkeypox and, therefore, is subject to sanitary surveillance, should avoid any travel, national or international, until it is determined that he or she no longer constitutes a risk to public health.
In this second epidemiological notice on monkeypox, the Conave establishes the operational definitions of probable, confirmed and discarded cases. Everything is based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The General Directorate of Epidemiology, through the Epidemiological Intelligence Unit in Health (UIES), provides timely follow-up to the event and to the new communications and publications in this regard.
SSA recommendations for the population
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or gel alcohol solution.
- Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing with respiratory etiquette.
- Avoid sharing food, drinks, cutlery and plates.
- When physically close to a sick person, wear a medical mask, especially if the patient is coughing or has mouth sores.
- Wash clothes, towels, eating utensils and sheets in contact with the sick person, using warm water and detergent.
- Clean and disinfect spaces where the sick person has been.
- Avoid contact with lesions; if they must be touched, wear gloves and dispose of properly.
- In case of symptoms, seek medical attention and avoid contact with other people.
The WHO reported that from January 1 to July 21, 2022, 15,328 confirmed cases were reported in 74 countries, territories and areas of the six regions of this international organization, as well as five deaths: three in Nigeria and two in Central African Republic.
The WHO urged member states to implement response actions with the aim of stopping human-to-human transmission. Priority focus is on communities at high risk of exposure. Anyone in close contact with someone who has symptoms is at risk of getting monkeypox.