Monkeypox: Check out the facts and lies about the disease that’s making the news

The report was originally published in Metropolis Newspaper On June 2, 2022

A new disease worries health authorities around the world. The number of cases of monkeypox, a rare viral infection, has increased significantly in European and North American countries.

In Latin America, only Argentina has confirmed a case of the disease. In Brazil, four suspected cases are being investigated in the states of Ceará, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul and Matro Grosso do Sul. At least four government health departments in the country have issued an alert to monitor municipalities. Among them, Bahian Pasta.

The demand is for epidemiological surveillance to increase the level of interest and stay informed about the potential emergence of suspected cases. The main symptom is a rash that can be accompanied by headache, back and muscle pain, fever, chills and fatigue.

Monkeypox has so far been confirmed in more than 568 patients in at least 24 countries outside Africa.

the facts

The disease is most common in West and Central Africa. However, the cases reported in Europe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), appear to be unrelated to African regions, which may indicate possible transmission of the virus in the community.

The virus can be transmitted through plates and towels. Monkeypox is spread by close contact with an infected person. The virus can enter the body through wounds on the skin or respiratory tract, or through the eyes, nose, and mouth. Although the disease does not have a high rate of transmission, a person can become infected by touching sheets, towels, and clothing used by a person with skin lesions caused by the disease.

lies

ANVISA recommended isolation to avoid infection in Brazil The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has reinforced the adoption of measures already in force in airports and aircraft, such as the use of masks, distance and frequent hand hygiene, aimed at protecting the population from Covid-19 and other diseases. But contrary to what was reported in some publications, he did not recommend isolation in the country.

AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine The monkey box is causing fake news on social media linking cases of the viral disease to vaccines against COVID-19, which use a vector of chimpanzee adenoviruses, such as AstraZeneca. The vector of chimpanzee adenovirus that Astrazeneca uses in its formulation is unrelated to monkeypox and is not contagious.