Latin America Still Does Not Report Cases of New Variant of Mpox and Active Surveillance Plans

Photo: @peruenlanoticia

August 19, 2024 Hour: 6:54 pm

Latin America has not reported any cases of the clade variant Ib of mpox, but following the World Health Organization (WHO) international public health emergency declaration, the various health authorities have issued epidemiological surveillance alerts and are implementing measures to prepare for possible infections.

In Venezuela, an epidemiological surveillance plan against the new mpox (monkey smallpox) lineage or clade Ib was launched which consists, among other things, of monitoring those people who come from countries where there is confirmation of outbreaks of the disease.

“To enter the country, they must report their health status and personal data in the epidemiological surveillance sheet for medical follow-up with the aim of detecting any suspected case early,” the executive said in a statement.

The Government also initiated procedures to “acquire the vaccine that guarantees the strengthening of the epidemiological containment for population groups at high risk of exposure”.

Latinoamérica no ha reportado hasta el momento casos de la variante clado Ib de mpox, pero ante la declaración de emergencia de salud pública internacional de la OMS, las distintas autoridades sanitarias han emitido alertas de vigilancia epidemiológica.#OMS #Salud
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— Impacto Media (@TuImpactoMedia) August 19, 2024

The health authorities in Colombia strengthened surveillance and issued recommendations, especially for health workers and populations at higher risk.

The National Committee for Epidemiological Surveillance (CONAVE) of Mexico issued a notice to “medical units throughout the country to monitor and report probable cases”.

The Peruvian Ministry of Health issued an epidemiological alert in its health centres, recommended strengthening epidemiological surveillance and research activities, Adapt the different health services to ensure care for people affected by the disease and strengthen the operation of the different laboratories with genetic material for mpox identification.

On Monday, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare of Paraguay reported that health authorities remain in “active surveillance” before the new outbreak, without registering confirmed cases for the moment.

“The number of cases of Sickle Pox in the country is currently zero. However, intensified surveillance continues throughout the national territory, as well as differential diagnosis”, said the statement of the health office.

The Salvadoran Ministry of Health assured that it maintains “controls at borders and throughout the country” and has the “capacity to carry out diagnostic tests in national laboratories and follow a specialized medical protocol”.

For her part, the Vice President of Nicaragua, Rosario Murillo, reported that an epidemiological surveillance was activated to “detect suspected cases in a timely manner, according to the symptoms and travel history”.