NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Directorate-General for Health has now (July 13) reported 515 total confirmed monkeypox cases since the first cases were reported on May 3.

The epidemiological description presented was prepared based on the information available to
July 12, 2022 for 343 cases reported on SINAVEmed:

Of the 343 cases, age varies between 19 and 61 years, with a predominance of cases in the age group between 30 and 39 years (152 – 44%). The majority of cases (99.7%) are male (342), with one case (0.3%) reported from female, in the context of possible contact with a confirmed case.

All regions of mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Region of Madeira reported cases,
of which 84.3% were in the health region of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo.

In addition, the Directorate-General for Health published this week the standard on vaccination against human infection by Monkeypox virus. The vaccine is currently recommended in a post-exposure context, that is, for people identified as close contacts of reported cases, as it can prevent or attenuate the clinical manifestations of human infection with Monkeypox virus.

Ideally, vaccination should be carried out within the first four days after the last close contact with a case, this period being possible for up to 14 days if the person remains symptom-free.

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Close contacts should be indicated after notification of a suspected case so that they can be contacted individually and a declaration for vaccination issued at one of the vaccination points defined by each health region. Health authorities reinforce the importance of identifying people who have been in close contact with the diagnosed cases, as quickly as possible, so that vaccination can be oriented.

Portugal received 2700 doses of vaccine against Human Infection by the Monkeypox Virus. The vaccines were donated by the European Commission through the HERA (Sanitary Preparation and Response Authority) and are distributed to different regions of the country, according to specific needs related to the epidemiological profile, which differs from region to region.