After the maximum alert by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to the outbreak of monkeypox that is being experienced in several countries of the world, the National Institute of Colombia (INS) announced the measures being taken in Colombia to contain and reduce the spread of this disease.
The director general of the INS, Martha Ospinapointed out that since May 20, a plan began in Colombia to identify suspected cases in the different health services of the country.
“We started in Colombia with an intensified surveillance of exanthematic diseases, with which we have been able to identify suspected cases of monkeypox”, said Ospina.
From May 20 to now, 26 suspected cases have been reported in the country, of which 10 have been positive: 9 in the city of Bogotá and one in Medellín.
In addition, the director general of the INS added that all these people have been able to be studied with their chain of contact, in which it was possible to identify that only one of the cases has a positive case in its closest nucleus.
One of the biggest concerns that the INS has is the large number of cases that are occurring in some countries in the region, such as the United States and Canada, which can generate community transmission.
“It is necessary that we increase the measures within this phase of containment of the spread in which we are still in the country,” said Martha Ospina.
Likewise, the general director stressed that Colombia has a “small window of opportunity” to avoid community transmission of this disease, since the cases in the country are still few. In addition, the country has the example of what is being done abroad to contain the spread of the monkey pox.
Health authorities in several countries around the world have recommended some items to avoid getting infected with monkeypox. They include isolating yourself if you have discomfort or skin injuries, wearing a face mask to prevent transmission through fluids such as saliva, and constantly washing your hands.