Monkeypox in Mexico: 128 new cases were registered in the last two weeks

Almost seven months after the first case of monkey smallpox or monkeypox (mpox) was detected in Mexico, the Ministry of Health (SSa) reported this Tuesday that as of December 26, 3,637 accumulated infections have been confirmed in Mexico in the 32 states of the country, as well as four deaths from the disease.

However, the agency stressed that in just the last two weeks, 128 new cases were registered; although a decrease is maintained.

According to the Institute for Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (InDRE), the cases are distributed from highest to lowest as follows:

Jalisco, 389; state of Mexico, 349; Quintana Roo, 174; Yucatan, 155; Puebla, 66; Nuevo Leon, 58; Tabasco, 56; Veracruz, 56; Chiapas, 46; Lower California, 30; Queretaro, 26; Morelos, 24; Hidalgo, 25, and Sinaloa, 19.

Tamaulipas, 22; Guanajuato, 18; Chihuahua, 18; Aguascalientes, 18; Coahuila, 15; Campeche, 15; Guerrero, 14; Oaxaca, 12; Nayarit, 10; San Luis Potosi, nine; Tlaxcala, eight; Michoacan, seven; Colima, six; Sound, five; Zacatecas, five; Baja California Sur, two, and Durango, two.

Regarding the distribution by sex, 97% of infections correspond to men. The age group from 30 to 34 years is the most prevalent, since it presents an incidence rate of 9.44 per 100,000 inhabitants, that is, 960 of the 3,637 confirmed cases.

It is worth mentioning that until December 26, 12 deaths were identified, of which four are directly related to infection by the mpox virus; two are not due to this direct cause, and six are being analyzed by a group of experts in infectious disease and epidemiology to define whether there is a causal association between death and infection.

These are 11 men and one woman, who during medical care presented lesions compatible with mpox and which, after the laboratory study, were confirmed.

On the international scene, as of December 27, 83,497 confirmed cases have been reported in 110 countries, territories, and areas in the six regions of the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as 72 deaths.

After exposure to the virus, the infected person remains asymptomatic for seven to 14 days before the onset of the following symptoms:

- Sudden onset fever of 38 degrees or higher.

- Headache.

- Fatigue and weakness.

- Muscle pains.

- Swelling of the lymph nodes.

- Eruptions that appear first on the face, hands and later spread to the rest of the body.

The sick person, as well as those around them, must use a face mask correctly, as well as not go to public places for 21 days (isolation).

People living with HIV, suffering from syphilis and diabetes mellitus, among others, are more vulnerable to developing complications in case of contracting the disease.

The Ministry of Health explained that the virus can be prevented by avoiding physical contact with people who are infected or suspected of having a disease, as well as with objects for personal use and materials used for medical care; also by constantly washing your hands with soap and water or using antibacterial gel.

There are practices that can increase the risk of infections, including monkeypox, such as: sex with strangers, dark rooms or sex parties; this, due to the close contact between people during these activities.

The risk is also reduced by avoiding sharing food, drinks, cutlery and dishes. In case of contagion, it is recommended to wash the sick person's clothes, towels and sheets and eating utensils with warm water and detergent; Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.

Available scientific evidence suggests that the two existing smallpox vaccines have imprecise effectiveness in preventing simian.

On June 9, the agency issued a strong call to eliminate messages that link the LGBTTTIQ+ population with monkeypox, because it violates people's human rights, harms the access of this population to health services. people-centered, comprehensive and quality health services, and reduce the overall state of well-being of this population.

Almost seven months after the first case of monkey smallpox or monkeypox (mpox) was detected in Mexico, the Ministry of Health (SSa) reported this Tuesday that as of December 26, 3,637 accumulated infections have been confirmed in Mexico in the 32 states of the country, as well as four deaths from the disease.