The Department of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) confirmed this Thursday the 18th, the fifth case of monkeypox or monkeypox in the national territory.
The report revealed that it is a 57-year-old male patient, Panamanian resident abroad, who entered the country last Thursday, August 11, who made some visits to family and friends.
The patient began on August 15, with vesicular-type skin lesions and yesterday, Wednesday the 17th, due to the increase in lesions, he went to the Tocumen Health Center where he is clinically evaluated and samples are taken and sent to the Commemorative Institute. Gorgas, where it is confirmed that it is positive for monkeypox or monkey (Monkey Pox).
The patient is in stable condition, taking his isolation in a hospital health facility.
Personnel from the Ministry of Health (Minsa) are currently conducting field investigations and actively searching for contacts, since once this new case was detected, the response teams were redoubled and the traceability of the new confirmed case was initiated through the investigation of possible close contacts and the necessary prevention and control measures are established to contain the spread of the virus, while the patient has been subjected to the protocols and treatments established for the management of these cases.
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.
A National Plan for the Surveillance, Prevention, Control and care of monkeypox was developed, which was disclosed to all health facilities, which must prepare for the comprehensive approach to these patients, for which they must have areas of adequate isolation if a patient is required to be hospitalized according to established protocols.
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 (clothes, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by a sick person. Among its symptoms are fever, headache, swollen glands, lumbar pain, muscle pain and lack of energy. The symptoms of this disease can last from 5 to 21 days.
Worldwide, the data reported by the WHO indicates that most 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.
This skin condition usually affects the face in 95% of cases; 75% the palms of the hands and feet.
General recommendations to prevent infections:
1. Perform hand hygiene with soap and water or use alcohol gel frequently.
2. Avoid sharing food, drinks or other objects for personal use.
3. Avoid contact with any material, such as clothing or bedding, that has been in contact with a sick person or animal.
4. If you present related signs and symptoms seek immediate medical attention, do not self-medicate.
5. Cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze with a tissue or your forearm.
6. When in close contact with a sick person, wear a mask correctly.
