By Andrea Hargraves 
The Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS) confirmed, on Monday (19), two cases of monkeypox, registered in Bento Gonçalves. Both are male, in their 30s and 40s. The cases have no epidemiological connection.
Both patients are in good health and isolated at home. Epidemiological surveillance conducts tracing to discover possible forms of contact.
Monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus of the same name, discovered in 1958. Transmission occurs mainly through close personal contact, often from skin to skin, such as: direct contact with rashes, wounds or crusts of lesions; contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels) and surfaces that have been used by an infected person; Through respiratory droplets or oral fluids from an infected person.
Early on, symptoms such as headache, fever, chills, sore throat, malaise, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes may occur. Subsequently, skin lesions may appear that begin as papules, progress to vesicles, and pustules, followed by crusting and scarring.
The incubation period is 6 to 16 days, but can be up to 21 days and signs and symptoms last 2 to 4 weeks.
protection
Since transmission occurs through respiratory droplets and contact, with close contact being more effective in transmission, general measures such as wearing a mask, avoiding crowded closed environments and frequent hand hygiene help control the disease. Avoiding contact with skin lesions in family members or sexual partners is also an important measure.
Source: Social Communication Office of the City Council