RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The National Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) released a statement Tuesday (24) explaining the agency’s recommendations to delay the introduction of the monkeypox virus in Brazil.
According to Anvisa, the only measures strengthened were those already in place at airports and on airplanes, which are designed to “protect individuals and the community not only from Covid-19 but also from other diseases.”
In the memo, Anvisa clarifies that it has not recommended “isolation” as a measure to control monkeypox.
“According to the World Health Organization (WHO), monkeypox can be transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal or through materials contaminated with the virus. The statement said that the virus could be transmitted from one person to another through close contact with lesions, body fluids, droplets from respiratory air, and contaminated materials, such as bedding,” the statement said.
Anvisa said it is acting in accordance with the actions of international agencies and the World Health Organizations and continues to monitor the evolution of monkeypox cases, keeping in constant contact with the Ministry of Health. “Once warranted, sanitary measures will be proposed, if necessary, in addition to the regulations in force in Brazil.
THE DISEASE
Monkeypox is a little-known disease, as it is more common in Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 131 confirmed cases of monkeypox that have occurred outside the African continent and 106 additional suspected cases since the first case was reported on May 7.
In light of this situation, the Ministry of Health has established a situation center to monitor the monkeypox scenario in Brazil. The measure, announced Monday evening (23), aims to develop an action plan for tracking suspected cases and defining clinical and laboratory diagnoses for the disease.
“To date, there have been no reports of suspected disease cases in the country,” the health ministry said in a statement. The portfolio states that it has sent states a pathology risk communication with guidance for health professionals and information available to date on the disease.
THE CURRENT STATUS
24.05.2022
Country: Total cases (suspected cases)
🇪🇸 Spain: 94 (52)
🇵🇹 Portugal: 37 (0)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: 58 (0)
🇨🇦 Canada: 27 (22)
🇮🇹 Italy: 4 (0)
🇩🇪 Germany: 7 (1)
🇧🇪 Belgium: 4 (0)
🇦🇺 Australia: 2 (0)
🇳🇱 Netherlands: 6 (0)
🇺🇸 USA: 7 (0)
🇨🇭 Switzerland: 1 (0)
🇫🇷 France: 4 (1)
🇸🇪 Sweden: 1 (0)
🇮🇱 Israel: 1 (0)
🇩🇰 Denmark: 1 (0)
🇦🇹 Austria: 1 (0)
🇲🇦 Morocco: 3 (3)
🇦🇷 Argentina: 1 (1)
Total: 260 infections in 18 countries (including 81 suspected cases).
Track monkeypox cases here