Chile confirms first case of monkeypox

How are positive cases of monkeypox confirmed?

2:43

(CNN Spanish) --

Chile confirmed the first case of monkeypox in the country, the Ministry of Health reported in a statement on Friday.

According to the entity, it is a young adult with a history of travel to Europe who presented symptoms related to the disease.

• WHO will assess whether monkeypox should be declared a public health emergency of international concern

The statement adds that the patient is in good health and that the surveillance protocols established by the Minsa were applied.

According to the WHO, in initial cases the monkeypox virus is transmitted through direct contact with blood, body fluids, skin lesions or mucous membranes of animals that have been contaminated with the virus.

For its part, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain that the virus enters the body through skin wounds, even if they are not visible, from the respiratory tract or mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose or mouth.

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The WHO states that the only way to reduce infections is to educate the population about what the risk factors are and how to reduce exposure.

For example, reducing the risk of transmission from animals to people by avoiding any contact with rodents and primates in endemic regions and limiting direct exposure to blood and meat, and their thorough cooking.