NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Ministry of Health and the communities have activated the health alert for monkeypox , a very rare disease caused by a virus endemic to central and western Africa, after the detection on May 18 of eight probable cases in Madrid pending to confirm, a figure that the afternoon of the same day rose to 23 cases.

Image/Robert Herriman

At mid-morning on May 19, the Ministry of Health has reported that the Community of Madrid has seven confirmed cases of this disease and 24 suspects, pending confirmation tests. The Minister of Health, Enrique Ruiz Escudero, has been convinced that more cases will appear.

In general, the transmission of this disease occurs through the respiratory route, but due to the characteristics of the 23 suspected cases of infection, it indicates that it has been due to contact with mucous membranes during sexual intercourse, the Madrid Ministry of Health has reported in a statement.

The General Directorate of Public Health is awaiting the results of the laboratory tests and evaluating the role of the smallpox vaccine in controlling transmission, as well as the use of antivirals if necessary.

IMVAMUNE smallpox vaccine approved for monkeypox and related orthopoxvirus in Canada