In Brazil, where about 2,700 cases will be confirmed, Monkeypox should be diagnosed in all Lasen (central public health laboratories) by the end of August, according to Health Minister Marcelo Queirogui last Friday (12).

Monkeypox should be tested in government laboratories by the end of August — Photo: Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels/Disclosure/ND

The federal government anticipated the global public health emergency declared by the WHO (World Health Organization) in July and formulated ways to combat the disease and admit patients into the public system, the minister said.

“Since May, when the first cases appeared in Europe, the unified health system has been preparing to meet this threat. We are facing a public health emergency caused by covid-19, and from the very beginning we have organized laboratory structures for diagnosis. [da varíola dos macacos]”, he reported.

The latest report released by the Ministry of Health says there are 2,747 confirmed cases in the country. Among the states with the most infections are Sao Paulo (1919), Rio de Janeiro (314) and Minas Gerais (133). In just two weeks, the growth in notifications was 118.2%.

“It is worth remembering that mortality from this disease [varíola dos macacos] low, i.e. most cases are simple, so it does not look like covid-19, despite the fact that this is a global public health emergency recognized by the WHO,” the minister informed.

Brazil has 2,747 confirmed cases of monkeypox. Photo: Disclosure/ND

The Minister of Health recalled that the vast majority of cases of monkeypox affect men who have sex with other men, and that direct skin-to-skin or mucosal contact is the main vector of transmission. “This is an epidemiological observation. It is not intended to stigmatize citizens. Anyone can buy it,” he added.

Another point made by the Minister of Health is that the use of condoms does not prevent monkeypox. Among the main characteristics of the disease: fever, skin lesions, bumps and crusts. “People need to be isolated,” explained Keyroga, who estimated a recovery period of three weeks.

The doctor also said that the treatment of the disease so far is to eliminate the symptoms, while specific antiviral drugs against the disease are still being studied.

SC announces contingency plan

Santa Catarina announced last Friday (12) the actions to be taken in the contingency plan to prevent a rise in monkeypox cases.

South Carolina has 22 confirmed cases of monkeypox – Photo: SESDF/Reproduction/ND

There are 208 suspected cases in Santa Catarina, of which 22 have been confirmed, 40 excluded and 146 are under investigation, according to the SES (State Department of Health).

The plan is mainly aimed at providing conditions for early detection of the disease, preventing its spread among the most vulnerable groups, namely children, pregnant women and immunocompromised women.

“This plan points to a harmonious management with clear rules for each area and the construction of internal recommendations,” says Eduardo Macario, head of the sanitary supervision service.

*According to Agência Brasil.