The monkeypox outbreaks that have been detected in recent weeks, and which now number more than 80 cases in a dozen countries, appear to be part of a same transmission chain. That is to say, everything indicates that there is a clear and direct relationship between case and case. An epidemiological link, as the experts say. At the beginning of covid-19, on the other hand, cases began to be detected immediately without any relation to the main sources of infection of the moment. That, as the experts explained, was a symptom that the virus was in an advanced community transmission phase.
In Spain, according to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Health, there are already 36 confirmed cases Y more than 60 suspected cases of monkeypox. In the Community of Madrid, the infections seem to be related to a sauna in the capital. In Gran Canaria, it is “likely” that one of the sources of contagion was Maspalomas Pride. Several have also been found contagion clusters in Portugal, UK and Canadaamong others.
“It is likely that in the coming days and weeks more cases of monkeypox come to light in Spain“, predicts the epidemiologist Antoni Trilla, of the Hospital Clinic. As explained by the epidemiologist, a part of these positives correspond to the cases that now count as suspects. Another part will be the patients who have been infected with this virus and who, for the moment, do not yet show symptoms. “It is also true that since the health alert has been issued, it is possible that both patients and doctors are paying much more attention to this diagnosis. suspected cases there are cases of chickenpox or herpesfor example”, comments the epidemiologist.
In 2003, the United States detected in its territory an outbreak of monkeypox with almost 50 affected. In that case, the focus of infection was the sale of some prairie dogs who had come into contact with the virus. “In the foci detected outside of Africa, outbreaks of this disease eventually self-contained isolating those affected. That is why it is so important to do everything possible to stop the transmission of the virus as soon as possible,” says the virologist Julia Whitefrom IrsiCaixa.