Venezuela Confirms First Case of Monkeypox
The country of Venezuela has confirmed its first case of monkeypox in a traveler from Spain. The patient arrived at the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, about twenty-one kilometers (11 miles) from downtown Caracas. The case was suspected since the patient had contact with two people who were infected in Barcelona. Upon confirmation, the patient was isolated, and relevant tests and samples were taken. The patient was in stable condition at the time of his arrival. The Ministry of Health did not reveal the identity of the person who had been infected, but said the case will continue to be monitored.
In recent days, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed cases in 29 countries, including Venezuela. The first confirmed case in Venezuela was reported in a 41-year-old man who traveled from Spain. In addition to Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil have confirmed monkeypox cases. Brazil and Chile have also confirmed a case. And the World Health Organization is considering declaring monkeypox a global health emergency. This would require an international response to combat the virus.
In addition, public health officials in New York City have urged residents to wear protective masks while outdoors. They noted the high number of COVID-19 infections among children in the city. Meanwhile, the country has halted the administration of the coronavirus vaccine to children under 13. The New Haven man with the monkeypox disease is currently being quarantined, and has not been hospitalized.
The disease is sexually transmitted and has spread rapidly to other countries. There are currently more than 1,300 reported cases in thirty countries since the beginning of May. Most cases in Europe have no link to travel to Africa, but the majority are sexually transmitted. The disease can infect anyone, including gay and bisexual men. It also spreads through the sharing of bedding and clothing. So far, there have been no deaths in the United States or Europe.
People who are exposed to monkeypox should visit a health care provider immediately and wear a mask when leaving the house. If you have a rash, cover it with a towel or a cloth to avoid the spread of the disease to others. Use disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after handling lesions. The disease can also be contracted through sexual intercourse and sex.
The disease is endemic in many countries of Latin America, but cases in the United States are uncommon. There have been seven laboratory confirmed human cases of monkeypox in 2022. However, it is important to remember that the disease is highly contagious, and it is not considered an emergency in the US. The WHO recommends vaccination of close contacts and cautions people to not stockpile vaccines.
The vaccine that prevents monkeypox is still in limited supply, so countries are working to expand access to the vaccine. Single-dose vaccines are more effective than two-dose vaccinations. The vaccine is manufactured by Bavarian Nordic and marketed under three brands. It is not known whether Venezuela will introduce the single-shot vaccine in 2022, but countries should still stick to the two-dose vaccination regimen for the time being.