The Ministry of Health of Panama (MINSA) confirmed this Saturday that it has detected the third case of monkeypox or monkeypox in the country.
This is a 33-year-old male patient, residing in the district of Arraiján, province of Panamá Oeste, who was in contact with a foreigner and presented symptoms on August 7; Then, on August 9, he presented skin lesions and on August 12 he went to the Artemio Jaén health center where the samples were sent to the Gorgas Commemorative Institute for Health Studies, the institution said.
He added that the Panama Oeste health team determined that the patient, who lives with his mother, “is in a separate room; he works virtually and maintains the conditions to benefit from home isolation.”
The Ministry of Health reiterated that it remains vigilant and has prevention and control measures and protocols for the care of cases, to reduce the risk of spreading this disease.
Panama declared a health alert throughout the country on May 24 and redoubled epidemiological surveillance in all health regions and all entry points into the national territory.
Monkeypox is a virus that is spread from person to person by direct contact with skin lesions of an infected person, contact with infected secretions from the respiratory tract, or with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by a sick person.
Its symptoms include fever, headache, swollen glands, lower back pain, muscle pain and lack of energy, which can last from 5 to 21 days.
Worldwide, the data reported by the WHO indicates that the majority of cases are men, 93% of cases are between 25 and 45 years old, one of the main routes of transmission being close contact during sexual intercourse.
The Minsa recommends practicing safe sex and avoiding having sex with multiple partners.
