A further nine cases of Monkeypox have been confirmed in Portugal, bringing the total to 23, announced the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), who are still awaiting results regarding other samples.
In a statement, the DGS explained that the new cases were confirmed by the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA) on Thursday evening; while the virus subgroup is said to have originated in West Africa and is the least aggressive of the Monkeyox virus.
According to the DGS, those affected are stable, attending outpatient clinics and are in ‘clinical follow-up.’ While epidemiological investigations of new suspected cases are ongoing in order to identify transmission chains, and potential new cases, and their respective contacts.
In the note, the health authority recommends individuals who have ulcerative lesions, skin rash, palpable lymph nodes, possibly accompanied by fever, chills, headache, muscle pain and tiredness to seek clinical advice.
In the face of suspicious symptoms, the DGS advises people to refrain from direct physical contact with others and not to share clothing, towels, sheets and personal objects while skin lesions are present at any stage, or if other symptoms are present.
The Monkeypox virus is of the Orthopoxvirus genus (smallpox is the best known of this genus), and the disease is transmitted through contact with animals, or close contact with infected people or contaminated materials.
Signs and symptoms of Monkeypox, according to www.cdc.gov include the following.
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) for Monkeypox is usually 7−14 days but can range from 5−21 days.
Within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the appearance of fever, the patient develops a rash, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body.
Lesions progress through the following stages before falling off:
- Macules
- Papules
- Vesicles
- Pustules
- Scabs
The illness typically lasts for 2−4 weeks.
It has been proven to be life threatening in poorer countries.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
