Health Secretary Carlos Melloto confirmed the first case of monkey flu on the island on Wednesday.

The patient infected with the virus is home alone, in a stable condition and under the medical care of his or her healthcare provider.

Monkey box is a rare viral disease that has re-emerged in the world since last May. The virus emerges within 5 to 13 days of exposure, although it can last up to 21 days. At the moment, 5,115 cases have been reported in 51 countries worldwide.

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“It is time that we all become aware of the clinical signs and epidemiological criteria for this virus so that it can prevent infection and stop any chain of transmission. Fortunately, a strong surveillance system is in place to deal with this situation,” said Health Secretary Carlos Mello Lopez.

Symptoms

Within medical criteria: Fever, headache, chills, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, ulcers and skin rash.

How is it spread?

According to epidemiological criteria, it is spread by contact with a person with skin lesions associated with the disease within 21 days of the onset of the disease. Also, there have been confirmed cases of contact with someone who has been infected with monkey flu, who has traveled outside the United States, or where monkeypox has spread.

A potential case has been identified in Florida.

The first case of the disease was reported on May 7 by the World Health Organization (WHO), the secretary recalled. On May 16, the WHO released a report on monkey flu. Health issued a notification about the virus and established a monitoring guide for the detection and management of cases for healthcare providers and organizations.

On the other hand, Iris Cardona, DS’s chief medical officer, said, “There is no specific treatment for this virus, but some antiviral therapies and vaccines have been developed to protect us from serious illness, which we can use to treat or prevent. Disease. At the moment, we are working with CDC to assess cases and interactions that require certain types of treatment, ”the doctor said.