Monkeypox: 23 Confirmed Cases in Portugal

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

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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: