Portugal now has 37 cases of Monkeypox reported, most cases continue to be in young men, with the concentration starting in the Lisbon region, but patients now being reported across the Algarve and the North.
So far, there are 37 laboratory-confirmed cases of Monkeypox, however the DGS are awaiting the results regarding further 'potential' cases. The Portuguese national health authority has confirmed that the infected are “stable and on an outpatient basis”.
The outbreak in Portugal began last week, but has already been identified in 12 other countries, with the World Health Organization admitting that it continues to spread. Children, pregnant women and people who are immunosuppressed are likely to be at higher risk.
The infection has an incubation period that can go up to 21 days. Experts continue to develop “epidemiological investigations of the suspects that are being detected, with the aim of identifying transmission chains and potential new cases and their respective contacts”.
Spain has approved a protocol that requires the use of a mask and isolation for those infected, and their close contacts.
In Portugal, there is currently no strict protocol, but the DGS has requested that “individuals who present ulcerative lesions, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, possibly accompanied by fever, chills, headaches, muscle pain and tiredness, should seek clinical advice” and, “in the face of suspicious symptoms, refrain from direct physical contact with other people fro 21 days, and avoid sharing clothing, towels, sheets and personal effects while skin lesions or other symptoms are present”.
How can you catch Monkeypox?
According to the health authorities, you can catch Monkeypox if you are bitten by an infected animal, or if you touch its blood, body fluids, spots, blisters or scabs. Catching it from an infected person is very uncommon, but transmission is possible through close physical contact including sexual intercourse, touching clothing, bedding, towels or other items used by someone with the rash.
Contact with their blisters or scabs or exposure to their coughs or sneezes could also put you at risk.
Health experts have said the infection can also be caught by eating meat from an infected animal that has not been cooked properly.
The rare infection is mostly spread by rodents, such as rats, mice and squirrels, in parts of west or central Africa. If people travel to destinations in those regions, they are advised to regularly wash their hands or use hand sanitisers and only eat meat which has been cooked thoroughly.
To further minimise infection, people should not go near wild or stray animals, including those that are dead or appear to be unwell.
What are the symptoms to look out for?
It normally takes between 5 and 21 days from infection for symptoms to appear.
The initial symptoms include a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen glands, shivering and exhaustion.
A rash will usually appear between one and five days after the first symptoms, beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.
It can be confused with chickenpox as it begins with raised spots.
The symptoms will usually disappear in two to four weeks with home treatment, although some people may need hospital treatment.
