health
MinSalud confirms the first case of mpox Clade Ib in the country: it was located in Antioquia
The Ministry of Health and the Institute of Health confirmed the detection of the first case of mpox Clade Ib in Colombia - a disease known as monkeypox, which was reported in the department of Antioquia.
TL;DR
- The first case of mpox Clade Ib in Colombia has been confirmed in the department of Antioquia.
- Previous mpox cases in Colombia (4,825 total) were all Clade II, which is of lower criticality.
- Clade Ib is considered more concerning due to potentially causing more severe infections.
- Health authorities have activated epidemiological surveillance, contact tracing, and are monitoring the situation closely.
- Currently, there is no evidence of additional cases or transmission chains linked to this Clade Ib case.
- Mpox symptoms include skin lesions, fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Transmission occurs through direct or indirect contact with infected individuals or animals, including close physical contact and sharing contaminated items.
- Vaccination is available for individuals over 18 who have been in contact with a confirmed case and is administered focally based on epidemiological investigations.
- Individuals in Antioquia seeking the mpox vaccine should contact their EPS (Health Promoting Entity).