The Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, confirmed this Tuesday morning the first case of monkeypox or monkey in Panama.
This is a 30-year-old man, who is already receiving medical care, and traceability has already been activated in this case to contain the spread of the virus.
Sucre indicated that this was confirmed on Monday afternoon, after the person reported from Friday to say that he had a fever and lymphadenopathy. “He was treated this Monday at the Gorgas Institute and after performing tests, the disease was confirmed,” he said.
The patient is undergoing his due quarantine at the San Miguel Arcángel Hospital, where he will be followed up more closely.
According to information provided by the head of the Minsa, at a press conference, the person had contacts with visitors from Europe, who informed him that they had the disease.
Sucre asked the population not to be alarmed and recalled that the entity maintains epidemiological surveillance throughout the country.
He stressed that the contacts that the patient had to carry out the controls will be sought.
Meanwhile, Dr. Melva Cruz, the general director of Public Health of the Minsa, pointed out that the man remains stable and has some injuries to his body such as the chest and abdomen. He will be treated with antivirals in case he develops a fever.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), monkeypox is a viral zoonosis, that is, a virus transmitted to humans by animals, which can also be transmitted from one person to another through close contact. It is characterized by a rash or skin lesions that are usually concentrated on the face, the palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet.
