Mpox infection, formerly called monkeypox, presents with fever and rash. It can take serious forms in fragile patients. Three people were recently infected in Reunion, all were treated.
Three cases of infection with the Mpox virus, long called monkeypox, have been confirmed over the past two weeks in Reunion, said the Regional Health Agency (ARS).
No indication was given on the state of health of the infected people or on the origin of the contaminations, in the press release published on Friday June 21.
“The patients and their contacts were taken care of” and an epidemiological investigation was launched, said the ARS.
“Contact” cases invited to be vaccinated
“Contact” cases were encouraged to be vaccinated as soon as possible and to monitor “any appearance of suggestive symptoms”, insisted the health agency.
The last two confirmed cases of Mpox in Reunion date back to September and October 2022. The first was a man returning from France “where he very probably contracted the infection”, indicated the ARS .
For the second person, the contamination took place on the island in the Indian Ocean. The two patients showed no signs of seriousness, according to the ARS.
Fever, rash etc.
Transmission of the virus occurs during prolonged and direct contact with an infected person as well as indirectly through objects that the patient has contaminated.
The first symptoms, notably fever and rash, occur after an incubation period of between 5 and 21 days. The person is contagious from the appearance of the first symptoms and until the skin lesions have completely healed.
“Certain people are likely to develop serious forms, particularly immunocompromised people, pregnant women and young children,” underlines the ARS.
Mpox disease particularly affects children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
