Monkeypox case tally in Brazil up to 142

Brazil’s health authorities have confirmed 36 new cases of monkeypox in the last few hours. In all, 142 cases of the disease caused by the hMPXV—acronym for Human Monkeypox Virus—have been registered.

Most cases (98) have been confirmed in the state of São Paulo. Next come Rio de Janeiro (28), Minas Gerais (8), Ceará (2), Paraná (2), Rio Grande do Sul (2), the Federal District (1), and Rio Grande do Norte (1).

In a press statement released this morning (7), the ministry reaffirms it is in direct contact with state health departments, monitoring cases and tracking the people patients had contact with.

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), monkeypox is traditionally transmitted by direct or indirect contact with blood, body fluids, skin lesions, and mucous membranes from infected animals. Secondary or person-to-person transmission can occur through close contact with secretions from the infected respiratory tract or from lesions on the skin of an infected person, as well as objects recently contaminated. Transmission occurs primarily by respiratory droplets. No evidence has been found that the virus is transmitted through sex.

As prevention, close contact with the sick person should be avoided until all wounds have healed, as well as with any material used by the infected person. It is also important to clean one’s hands by washing with soap and water, or hand sanitizer.