This Saturday, September 24, the Department of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health
(Minsa) confirmed the 14th case of monkeypox in Panama.
The health authorities indicated that it is a 27-year-old male patient, Panamanian, who said that he had close contact with Panamanian people prior to the onset of symptoms with a not well-defined skin lesion, later symptoms such as fever, pain sore throat, swollen glands in the neck and vesicle-like lesions in various parts of his body,
pustules and crusts.
MINSA stressed that the transmission of monkeypox is spread from person to person, it can be caused by skin lesions, from one infected person to another, respiratory and body fluids; and also through infected clothing or any surface that has had contact with the lesions.
Since last May 24, Panama declared a health alert throughout the country and epidemiological surveillance was redoubled in all health regions and all entry points into the national territory.
Worldwide, the data reported by the WHO indicate 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. Therefore, it is recommended to practice safe sex and avoid having sex with multiple partners.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently noted that monkeypox infection can be divided into two stages. The first is incubation, which can last from zero to 5 days. The second, of skin rash, which can vary between one to three days, after the onset of fever.
WHO recommendations to prevent infection by monkeypox:
- Perform hand hygiene with soap and water or use alcohol gel
frequently. - Avoid sharing food, drinks or other objects for personal use.
- Avoid contact with any material, such as clothing or bedding, that has
been in contact with a sick person or animal.
