Alert! Minsa detects the first case of monkeypox in Piura

As of May 25 of this year, the Ministry of Health has reported a total of 33 cases of monkeypox nationwide.

After a year, the Piura region has once again registered a new case of earthquake pox. At the national level, a total of 33 cases have already been confirmed.

According to the latest report of the National Center for Epidemiology, Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) until May 25, there have been reports 33 cases nationwide of monkeypox, one of which has been recorded in the Piura region. This was confirmed by Julio Barrena Dioses, specialist in Public Health and former secretary of the Piura Medical College.

The doctor indicated that the cases have been identified in Callao, Huánuco, La Libertad, Lima and Piura. «According to Barrena, there are 5 cases reported in Callao, 1 in Huánuco, 3 in La Libertad, 23 in Lima, and only 1 in Piura«he explained.

Barrena pointed out that the only recorded case of monkeypox in the region comes from the district of Piura. «The information provided by the Situation Room of the Ministry of Health is limited to that single case in Piura«he added.

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He highlighted that in 2023the Piura region did not present cases of monkeypox, while in 2002 were reported 52 cases reported.

Barrena mentioned that the disease emerged in the country in 2022, a year in which a large number of cases were recorded. At the national level, it was reported 3,697 cases of monkeypox and 20 deaths. In that same year, Piura notified 52 cases, Meanwhile in 2023 none were recorded.

Barrena Dioses pointed out that the most common symptom of monkeypox is the appearance of papules or spots in the anogenital area.

The expert explained that the disease is spread from person to person through direct and prolonged contact, face to face. «Smallpox can also be spread through direct contact with infected body fluids or contaminated objects.«, he mentioned.

Affected worldwide

The general director of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesusprovided in 2023 data on the monkeypox virus during the WHO’s weekly press conference.

«So far, more than 90,000 cases of monkeypox virus and 156 related deaths in 114 countries. However, the actual number of cases and deaths is believed to be higher, as some countries do not report all cases.