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Community transmission of monkeypox confirmed in Brazil

São Paulo's Emílio Ribas Hospital, where Brazil's first monkeypox case was confirmed. Photo: Isaac Fontana/CJPRess/Folhapress
São Paulo’s Emílio Ribas Hospital, where Brazil’s first monkeypox case was confirmed. Photo: Isaac Fontana/CJPRess/Folhapress

The Health Ministry confirmed the first five cases of community transmission of monkeypox in Brazil. The patients in question live in the state of São Paulo and had not traveled abroad. 

So far, the country has had 16 confirmed monkeypox cases, 11 of which are people who have returned from trips to Europe or had contact with foreigners. All are in stable clinical condition and are being monitored by health authorities.

More than 3,500 cases have been recorded worldwide in recent weeks — considering only those outside Africa, where the disease is endemic. Prevention of the disease is similar to measures used against the coronavirus: wearing a mask, avoiding contact with people with symptoms, and always washing your hands.

One Brazilian lawmaker requested that the Health Ministry bring back temperature checks on passengers at airports, a measure used in the early stages of the pandemic, in order to contain the monkeypox spread.