The Ministry of Health confirmed this Friday (29) the first death from monkeypox in the country. The victim is a man who was admitted to a hospital in Uberlandia (MG). According to the Ministry of Health, he had immunosuppression.

The Ministry of Health confirms the first death from monkeypox in Brazil. Photo: reproduction/ND

The disease is considered by the WHO (World Health Organization) as a global health emergency, with over 18,000 confirmed cases in 78 countries.

As of Thursday (28), only five people have died from the disease, all in African countries where the disease is endemic. Information provided by WOL.

According to the latest bulletin, there are 1,066 cases in Brazil, most of them in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

The city of São Paulo confirmed this Friday a record three cases of monkeypox in children in the municipality. These are the first notices in the children’s audience.

The Ministry of Health considers the disease as an outbreak, the first stage in the evolution of infection, preceding epidemics and pandemics.

An outbreak occurs when there is a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease in a particular region. To use the term, the increase in cases must be greater than the authorities expected.

In a note sent to UOL, the agency said fighting the disease is a priority and will create a team to coordinate the response involving multiple health agencies such as Conass (National Council of Health Secretaries), National Council of Conasems. municipal health departments), Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) and PAHO, WHO Americas.

The country still does not have a vaccine for the disease, but the health ministry says it is in talks to obtain one.

“The Ministry has been looking for quick alternatives to procure the vaccine and has agreed with PAHO/WHO to negotiate the purchase of an immunizing agent. In this way, the National Immunization Program (PNI) will be able to determine the best immunization strategy for Brazil,” he said in a statement.

The situation in Santa Catarina

The SES (Secretariat of State for Health) confirmed on Thursday morning the transmission of monkeypox in Santa Catarina.

There are 32 cases reported in the state so far. Of these, six have been confirmed: three in Florianopolis; one in Joinville; one in Leoberto Leal and one brought from São Paulo.

Another 10 cases have been dropped and 16 are under investigation. Of the reported cases, 27 are men and five are women. Most of them are between 20 and 31 years old. The first case was registered on May 27.

There are no reports of serious cases or deaths from the disease in Santa Catarina, according to the SES.

Transmission and symptoms

Transmission in the world occurs from person to person. Infection arises from wounds, body fluids and droplets of the patient. This can occur through close and prolonged contact without respiratory protection, through contact with contaminated objects, or through skin contact, including sexual contact.

The incubation period of the virus ranges from 5 to 21 days. The most characteristic symptom is the formation of painful rashes and nodules on the skin. Fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and weakness may also occur.

According to the WHO protocol, cases should be considered suspicious if the patient has at least one skin lesion anywhere on the body and meets one of these requirements within the last 21 days: a history of travel to a country with confirmed cases, contact with travelers who have visited this country or close contact with strangers.