The Cuban Ministry of Health (MINSAP) confirmed this Saturday the first case of monkeypox in an Italian tourist.
The man is “in critical condition, in mortal danger,” said MINSAP in a press release published on state television.
“Possible associated causes that may have influenced the severity are being investigated,” the health authorities added.
According to MINSAP, the citizen presented general symptoms three days ago and “during the initial medical care, the symptoms worsened.”
Against this background, “He required urgent hospitalization and intensive care and arrived at the hospital in cardiac arrest, from which he recovered.”
The information added that on physical examination they identified skin lesions that were confirmed to be monkeypox by a PCR performed at the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine.
“The epidemiological investigation is being deepened and the priority control measures are being carried out as provided for in the approved protocol for dealing with this disease in the country,” MINSAP said.
The World Health Organization (WHO), also known as monkeypox, has declared it a public health emergency due to the number of countries where the disease is contagious.
The WHO notes that symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle fatigue and rashes on the face, hands, feet, eyes or genitals.
The disease is transmitted through direct contact with people with symptoms.
With information from Telemundo 51