Dive-SC (Diretoria de Vigilância Epidemiológica de Santa Catarina) reported this Saturday (10) that the number of cases of monkeypox, hMPXV (Human Monkeypox Virus, its abbreviation in English) has increased.

The symptoms of monkeypox are skin ulcers. Photo: Internet/North Dakota.

During the day, according to the agency, three new confirmed cases were registered in the state, which is 163 positive diagnoses of the disease. In addition, 299 exams are under investigation. This number has also risen, since on Friday (9) the number was 298.

Santa Catarina has already refused 426 exams with a negative diagnosis. In total, Dive has already received 911 disease notifications.

The increase in the incidence can be explained by the fact that we are used to living in society, with a lot of touches, for example, on the bus, at parties. According to Ana Christina Vidor, epidemiologist and head of the Florianopolis epidemiological surveillance service, this contributes to a faster spread of the virus.

The Department of Health has placed monkeypox (Monkeypox) on the National List of Mandatory Notification of Diseases, Illnesses and Public Health Events. At the same time, specialists from public and private institutions are required to inform the authorities about confirmed cases of the disease within 24 hours.

Caused by the hMPXV (human monkeypox virus) virus, the disease was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) in July of this year. The decision was made after an increase in the number of cases in a number of countries.

In Brazil, the first diagnosis was confirmed in early June in São Paulo, South Carolina. The first death associated with this disease occurred at the end of July in Belo Horizonte (MG).

Peculiarity

Monkeypox, caused by the virus, can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person who has broken skin. Infection can occur through hugging, kissing, massage or sexual intercourse. The disease can also be transmitted through the respiratory tract and through contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding or towels) and surfaces used by the sick person.

Among the main symptoms of monkeypox are a rash or skin lesions; languages; heat; bodily pain; Headache; chills and weakness. The ministry encourages people to see a doctor if they notice any of these signs.

In most cases, patients have mild symptoms for which there is no specific treatment that requires care and monitoring of lesions. However, last week the country began to receive the first drugs prescribed to patients at risk of developing severe forms of the disease (people with immunodeficiency, HIV / AIDS, leukemia, lymphomas, metastases, transplant recipients, people with autoimmune diseases, pregnant women, breastfeeding and children under 8 years of age).

vaccine

There is currently no significant progress in the area of ​​monkeypox vaccination in Brazil. In July, the Ministry of Health began negotiations with PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) and WHO (World Health Organization) for the purchase of 50,000 doses of vaccine against the disease.

“It is necessary for the Ministry of Health to sign a contract with PAHO so that this is very clear, so that we have a forecast for the supply of these vaccines. It is expected to be delivered at the end of August. To Socorro [Gross, representante da Opas] informed me that it would be at the beginning of September. There would be two shipments, now there are three. At the global level, this is not enough, ”justified Minister of Health Marcelo Queiroga.