Epidemiological Alert Issued in Mexico for Mpox (Monkeypox) Outbreak

On 14 August 2024, Mexico’s Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (SINAVE) issued an epidemiological alert regarding the recent rise in Mpox (Monkeypox) cases in the Africa Region, specifically related to Clade I. This alert follows a global increase in cases during the outbreak.

SINAVE highlighted the increased risk of Mpox cases in Mexico due to global outbreaks, especially in Africa, where population movement is high.  According to SINAVE’s report, there have been 7,385 reported cases of Mpox in Mexico since 2022, with 4,130 confirmed. From 1 January to 5 August 2024, 212 cases were reported, 49 of which were confirmed across 11 states, with no fatalities confirmed. The report outlines the distribution of these cases across Mexico, with the state of Quintana Roo having the most cases confirmed.

The 49 cases are not related to the new subvariant, Clade 1b, spreading in Africa, which WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern on August 14.

A probable case is any individual, regardless of age or gender, who exhibits symptoms like fever, muscle pain, headache, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, joint pain, or lower back pain accompanied by one or more lesions, such as macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, or scabs.

Mexican health officials urged continued vigilance, strict adherence to current epidemiological surveillance protocols and prompt reporting to manage the outbreak effectively.