SP has 1st death from monkeypox; total in the country reaches 6

The state of São Paulo recorded this Wednesday (12) the first death from monkeypox. According to the São Paulo Health Department, the patient was 26 years old and lived in the capital. He had been hospitalized at the Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas since August 1, had several comorbidities and was undergoing treatment with antivirals for emergency use in critically ill patients.

With the case in São Paulo, Brazil totals six deaths from monkeypox. Two deaths were recorded in Minas Gerais and three in Rio de Janeiro. Patients also had comorbidities, which increases the risk of complications from the disease.

According to the latest epidemiological bulletin from the Ministry of Health, until September 24, the country had 7,490 confirmed and probable cases of the disease.

In São Paulo, the secretariat counts 3,861 confirmed cases and observes a reduction in the number of records in recent weeks.

The main symptom of the disease is the appearance of lesions similar to pimples or blisters, which can appear on the face, inside the mouth, on the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus. Other symptoms are the appearance of a lump in the neck, armpit and groin; fever; headache; chills; tiredness and muscle pain

Regarding prevention, the secretariat highlights measures such as avoiding intimate or sexual contact with people who have skin lesions or confirmation of the disease; wash hands with soap and water and use alcohol gel; not share bedding, towels, cutlery, cups, personal items or sex toys; wear mask.

Vaccination is also an important way to prevent the disease. The Ministry of Health ordered 50,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine through PAHO (Pan American Health Organization), an arm of the WHO (World Health Organization) in the Americas. The expectation was that 20,000 would arrive by September, but the country received less than half of that forecast.

The first batch, received on the last day 4, consisted of 9,800 doses, which will be used in a study to generate new evidence about the safety, effectiveness and immunogenicity (ability to generate an immune response) of the vaccine.

There is evidence on the effectiveness of the immunizer. However, there is little data available on the level of protection against the disease in real life (effectiveness). Therefore, the Ministry will finance the study, which will be conducted by Fiocruz and supported by the WHO.