NewsDesk @bactiman63

In a follow-up on the confirmed monkeypox cases reported in England, Portugal’s Direção-Geral da Saúde (DGS) reports more than 20 suspected cases of monkeypox infection in May, all in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region. Five of which have already been confirmed by the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, this Tuesday.

Portugal map/CIA

The cases, mostly young, and all male, are stable, presenting ulcerative lesions. The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) identified the alert and centralizes, at this stage, all actions for the detection, assessment, management and communication of risk related to these cases, through the Center for Emergencies in Public Health (CESP).

The Monkeypox virus is of the Orthopoxvirus genus and the disease is transmitted through contact with animals or close contact with infected people or contaminated materials. The disease is rare and usually does not spread easily among humans.

The DGS has already communicated the alert yesterday to health professionals, namely doctors and nurses, with the aim of identifying any suspected cases and notifying them.

Individuals with ulcerative lesions, rash, palpable lymph nodes, possibly accompanied by fever, chills, headache, muscle pain and tiredness, should seek medical advice.

Faced with suspicious symptoms, the individual should refrain from direct physical contact. The clinical approach does not require specific treatment, and the disease is usually self-limiting in weeks.

The UK has reported similar cases of ulcerative lesions, with confirmed Monkeypox virus infection.

The DGS is monitoring the situation at the national level and in articulation with the European institutions.