Brazil reached 607 confirmed cases of monkeypox, according to an update from the Ministry of Health this Friday (22). The balance is more than double verified on the 9th, when there were 218 confirmed diagnoses across the country.
Cases of the disease are mainly concentrated in São Paulo. In total, according to data from the ministry, the state recorded 438 positive diagnoses of the disease until this Friday, representing about 72% of the total.
However, the state Health Secretary said that there are already 466 confirmed cases of the disease in the state. Most of them are in the capital of São Paulo – in total, there were 385 in the city alone.
“All patients have a good evolution of the picture and are monitored by the epidemiological surveillance of their respective municipalities, with the support of the state”, completes the note from the secretary.
The first case of the disease in Brazil was confirmed on June 9 in São Paulo. Since then, monkeypox has been recorded in 13 other units of the Federation.
The Ministry of Health said, in a note to Sheetwhich “continues in direct articulation with the states to monitor cases and trace patient contacts”.
The disease is caused by monkeypox, a virus of the orthopoxvirus genus. Another pathogen that is also of this genus is the one that causes common smallpox, a disease eradicated in 1980.
The initial symptoms of monkeypox are mainly body aches, fever, malaise and tiredness. Then, the disease progresses to a condition in which blister-shaped lesions appear on the body.
The main form of transmission of the virus is through direct contact with these wounds. It is also possible to become infected by respiratory droplets, but in these cases, long and close contact with the patient is necessary. The CDC (US Centers for Disease Control), for example, states that passing someone with the disease in a supermarket should not cause transmission.
The scenario of concern about monkeypox began in May, when the pathogen spread in non-endemic regions, such as Europe and the United States.
Faced with the situation, the Ministry of Health set up, on May 23, a situation room to direct public health actions and disseminate information about monkeypox. However, on the 11th of this month, the room was discontinued by the folder.
From then on, surveillance actions for monkeypox were allocated to different areas that make up the Health Surveillance Secretariat (SVS).
In addition, in the document with the situation room closure plan, it is informed that the General Coordination of the Immunization Program (CGPNI) will be responsible for coordinating vaccination in case of acquisition of immunizations by the Ministry of Health.
Marcelo Queiroga, minister of health, had stated on June 1 that the country was evaluating the purchase of immunizations. According to an official note from the folder this Friday (22), negotiations for acquisition continue to be made with the WHO (World Health Organization).
“It is worth mentioning that mass vaccination is not recommended by the WHO in non-endemic countries, such as Brazil. The recommendation of vaccination, so far, is only for contacts with suspected cases and health professionals with high occupational risk to the virus. “, completes the ministry.
The Government of São Paulo is also studying an immunization plan for monkeypox. Since June 30, a committee of the Butantan Institute is considering the purchase of immunization agents or the transfer of technology for the production of the vaccine in the country. Both measures continue to be evaluated by the state government.
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